MOTORISTS SET TO SEE RED ON 11 BUSY CITY ROADS
But 12 extra no-stopping routes scrapped
MOTORISTS face being fined £70 if they pull over on 11 of Stoke-ontrent’s busiest roads.
The proposed red routes are set to cover 6.5 miles across the Potteries. They will be in addition to the existing double-red lines already on four streets in Hanley.
But Stoke-on-trent City Council has scrapped plans to bring in red routes on 12 other roads following an initial public consultation.
Now drivers are to be consulted about the proposals for the 11 roads.
Businesses on Waterloo Road have launched a petition against the red route plan.
Businessman Bill Day owns Forward Precision Engineering and has traded from his Waterloo Road firm for 40 years. He said: “These restrictions are not going to attract people into Burslem. It is ludicrous to me.”
Our Burslem community group leader June Cartwright welcomed the revised plans. She said: “I’m really happy red routes are not going across Market Place because I think they would have killed the town.
“We also need short-stay spaces so people can pop into the shops.
“But I do feel the red route is needed on Waterloo Road because if not there’s going to be a serious accident. I support the council’s plans.”
Businesses in Tunstall are delighted that red routes are not coming to the town centre.
James Smith, manager at the Extracare Charitable Trust shop, in High Street, said: “Having a red route would have affected our deliveries.
“It is fantastic that the council has been prepared to seriously consider the feedback it has received and taken it all on board.”
Highways officials hope red routes will tackle congestion and inconsiderate parking and improve road safety.
The council consultation runs until January 11.
Councillor Daniel Jellyman, cabinet member for transport, said: “We’re now ready to push ahead with the red routes and hold the formal, statutory consultation on our final choices.
“One of the main complaints I get from residents is about parking on yellow lines and the impact it causes.
“These red routes are all about making sure road users can get across the city as quickly as possible in a safe manner.
“Delays to journeys cost businesses and commuters time and money, and congestion in our city is often caused by inconsiderate and illegal parking on the roads.”