ANGER AS PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OPENED UP TO TRAFFIC
PLAN GETS THE GO-AHEAD DESPITE HUGE OPPOSITION
A PEDESTRIAN-ONLY bridge in a quiet Nuneaton village will be opened to traffic- despite huge opposition from those who live near it.
Warwickshire County Council has said that allowing traffic to use the bridge in Bermuda village, providing a link to St George’s Way, will cut congestion in the west area of town as well as journey times in and around Nuneaton town centre.
Councillor Jeff Clarke, cabinet member for transport and planning, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that we can now start making this scheme a reality.
“There is a raft of changes taking place in and around Nuneaton, not only in the town centre but also in the surrounding areas, and this link will help us to unlock West Nuneaton and get the traffic moving.
“This will have a very positive effect on the travelling in and out of Nuneaton town centre and will help it to achieve its potential as both a place to live and a place to do business.”
Councillor Richard Chattaway, leader of the Labour group at Shire Hall, added: “The scheme is always been about getting traffic mov- ing to allow better connectivity for residents of Bedworth and Nuneaton. I welcome this investment into our area.”
But giving the bridge project the go-ahead was not a unanimous decision, neither was it welcomed by the majority of people who took part in the latest round of public consultation.
Cllr Clare Golby, ward member for Arbury, spoke passionately about the strength of residents’ feelings against the plans.
“No one would find this acceptable on their doorstep, I keep being told that we are here to make hard decisions and I get that, switching off my dad’s life support was a hard decision, this is not a hard decision, this is based on fact and what which was originally is right for the area. going to cost £3.7million
“There is nothing in but will now cost £9million, there (the plan) for the could be better residents. If it gets spent on other traffic passed, I want to see the solving schemes. residents prioritised, “Without proper safety crossings, and safety measures, without a measures. Residents complete traffic assessment, don’t feel like they are it is a massive being engaged or listened waste of money,” he said. to. “You could look at
“I will expect there will what we could do with be some meaningful £9milion, but for some engagement. This is the reason, this massive project least you can do, there is for you (the county no faith from my residents council). There will be no that anyone is listening.” time savings, there will be added risks in running
She went on to add this through this residential that, once the project area which was not gets to the planning designed to take this traffic. application stage, she Who are we doing this will be pushing to ensure scheme for?” that residents’ views are But a vote was taken taken into account. with the majority of
Cllr Keith Kondakor councillors in favour, also voiced opposition to now the project will go to the plan, saying that the next phase, seeking money for the project, planning permission.