Row erupts after MP warns of subways plan ‘in Labour war against motorist’

A POLITICAL row has broken out after a Rotherham MP accused the council of wanting to install subways under a busy roundabout.

The leader of Rotherham Council said there are “no plans” for underpasses at the Stag Roundabout.

He pointed to a government document detailing proposals for a number of transport schemes in South Yorkshire saying roundabouts with subways will be replaced with new road junctions.

The Stag Roundabout improvements, which will include priority for buses and pedestrian crossings, are part of a £50m investment from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements, which aims to enable people to prioritise public transport, walking and cycling over car use.

A spreadsheet detailing the plans on the Government’s website states: “Replacement of roundabout with subways with a new junction with bus priority and improved pedestrian and cycle crossing.”

But Alexander Stafford, Conservative MP for Rother Valley, said “no one wants an underpass”.

He said residents want “safe pedestrian crossings on Wickersley

Road and East Bawtry Road away from the main crossings – but what they are getting is a patchwork of cycle lanes and anti-car measures.

“The Labour council aren’t listening – and the Labour ward councillors are asleep at the wheel, ignorant to what is going on in their own wards, while the Labour leadership push ahead with their war on the motorists”.

However, council leader Chris Read said there is no proposal to install subways or underpasses at Stag Roundabout.

“All the roundabouts with subways are being considered for measures that would replace the subways. In general, we expect to remove subways. There are no subways at the Stag, they cannot be replaced,” he added.