COUNCILLORS HIT BACK IN "RAT RUN" ROW

27-07-2007

Two Birmingham councillors have hit back at allegations that they are trying to "railroad" residents into accepting a new traffic scheme in the south of the city, designed to end a popular "rat run".

In last night’s Birmingham Mail, the Stirrer reported that Stirchley resident Steve Beckett was opposing a proposals to reduce the use of back routes around Bond Street one-way and force more cars onto the already busy Pershore Road (see here)

He’s concerned that it will cause gridlock in nearby Cotteridge during morning rush-hour, and simply push the problems into other areas nearby.

We discovered that no formal traffic survey has taken place to support the proposal; that no additional traffic management is proposed for Pershore Road; and that despite pledges on consultation, cash for the scheme has already been set aside.

Steve’s verdict: “This is all about keeping a few NIMBY’s happy. Far from solving the traffic problems in the area, it will only make them worse”.

Now Steve’s had robust replies from two councillors who’ve been involved in drawing up the plans.

Cllr Tim Huxtable says that when he went on a site visit to Bond Street, he was almost knocked down by a speeding car and says that despite warnings of “traffic chaos” on another nearby road when changes were implemented, “this chaos never happened”.

He adds: “if there is no consensus for a road layout alteration then no change would go ahead” but claims two thirds of residents back the change.

Another councillor Nigel Dawkins tells Steve: “I think you are perhaps 'over egging the pudding' in terms of your predicted outcome of our scheme.

“I am sympathetic to the residents who have asked us to investigate because I actually do not think Bond Street is a resource for the benefit of the area.

“I believe it is a residential area which should not be inflicted with rat running traffic or even for that matter a bus route.”

Do you know the area? Or are you affected by rat runs where you live? Shouldn’t motorists be free to use roads if they pay for their upkeep? Leave a comment on the Message Board.