Scheme for eight houses approved despite warning of ‘daily gridlock’

PLANS to build eight homes have been approved – despite objections from the local MP that it would bring ‘daily gridlock’.

The homes will be built on a road through Worsley, Salford.

Two local councillors – Richard Critchley and Laura Edwards – said they were unhappy with the development.

It will see four semi-detached homes built on the plot, on Walkden Road, where currently one house stands. All the homes will have four bedrooms.

The developer, Ryan Little, said that he was a ‘local investor, not a national brand,’ and argued that he would be bringing a plot that’s been in a ‘state of disrepair’ back into use.

But the two local councillors – who spoke at the planning meeting but don’t sit on the panel – said they were concerned about pollution and traffic.

Coun Critchley said that junction is “one of the busiest and most critical in this part of the city.

“Everyone travelling from Walkden, Little Hulton – the Bolton side – has to go over this junction. It is absolutely essential that there’s a free flow of traffic at this location.”

But the eight driveways ‘will be blocked all day by queuing traffic,’ he said.

Barbara Keeley, MP for Worsley and Eccles South, has previously told the M.E.N. that there was ‘deep concern’ among residents, who feared ‘daily gridlock’ on Walkden Road.

Coun Karen Garrido told the meeting: “You’ve got cars standing... most cars keep running. They don’t turn their engine off while they’re waiting, and the pollution to these houses will just be horrendous.”

But Coun Derek Antrobus, who asked for more information from officers, said that the air pollution problem couldn’t be solved ‘by saying people can’t live their lives’.

Officers recommended councillors approve the application, and pointed to research saying that the volume of cars would be low, and it was important to look at the benefits that the scheme brings.