Estate traffic scheme ‘will create problems’
PLANS to create school zones and a bus-only route on an estate could create problems rather than solve them, critics fear.
Residents of Rushey Mead received leaflets from Leicester City Council last week outlining proposals to try traffic measures in the area as part of the Safer Street Healthier Neighbourhoods project.
The proposed measures aim to reduce speeding, rat-running and congestion.
A bus-only route in Gleneagles Avenue would operate from 8am to 9am and 2.30pm to 4pm.
However, a resident of Peebles Way said the plan would be a “huge inconvenience” for people in the area.
Referring to Troon Way and Barkby Road, the woman, who did not want to be named, said: “The alternate routes are already always congested, so it will just make that worse.”
She said there is only one bus service for the area, which loops around Rushey Mead, Belgrave and the city centre and the proposed bus gate is “unnecessary”.
A spokesman for the council said the scheme would allow people to benefit from “cleaner air”.
However, concerns have been raised about reducing access to roads that elderly people live in, who might not be able to walk as far.
“We have lots of elderly people who rely on these routes, especially get to the medical centre,” the resident said.
Jainik Khodiana said the changes will disrupt the school run, which he does on the way to work.
Under the proposed changes, the 32-year-old would have to travel to work via busier routes, including Melton Road, which he said “is already chock-a-block”.
“What we’re all wondering is who thought this would be a good idea,” he said.
The council said any changes would be “temporary and movable” so they could be adapted.
The plans also include school zones in Wyvern Avenue, Rosedale Avenue and the area outside Herrick Primary School. Measures include 20mph zones, no access at certain times of the day and a pavement parking ban.
Jainik said he welcomed the 20mph zones which “make it safer for everyone” but said some measto ures included in the plan would be introduced seven days a week.
“It doesn’t make sense to me if schools are only open for five days of the week,” he said.
Roadshow consultation events are to run by the council. But Jainik said they are all at times people will be at work.
An evening online webinar will also be held in October.
A council spokesman said: “The ideas we are taking to the community are intended to stop people who don’t live in Rushey Mead from using the area as a rat-run, so as to reduce traffic and congestion for local people.
“They are also designed to help reduce congestion during the school run, which we know is a problem.
“Any changes put in will be temporary and movable so we can see how the scheme works and modify it accordingly.
“We are holding a series of roadshows at different times, including the evenings, so people can come and find out more about the scheme and let us know any concerns they might have, before we go ahead with any part of the scheme.
“There’s an online webinar too, but if you can’t attend any of these, there is an email address on the leaflet where you can contact us for more information.
“Every resident will still have vehicle access to their street and their home and emergency vehicles will have full access, but reducing traffic in residential streets means people can benefit from safer and healthier streets with cleaner air.”