OPPOSITION Tories on Warrington Borough Council are calling for an immediate halt to proposals for the Orford Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) Scheme following a huge public outcry.
Group leader Cllr Nigel Balding (Birchwood) says it now seems clear that Labour councillors have underestimated the level of opposition by residents and that more needs to be done to increase engagement with local residents to better explain the fuller implications of the schemes prior to implementation.
He says the improved engagement should lead to greater public acceptance thereby increasing the prospects for success of the trials.
The Conservative Group is now calling on the borough council to halt the implementation of both LTN trials at Orford and Westy immediately pending improved public engagement by the council on the full implications of both schemes.
Associated LTN signage should be covered up as soon as reasonably practicable and in Orford the Bus Gate on Hallfields Road should be deactivated. No FPNs should be issued for the time being.
Cllr. Balding is also asking the council to explain what measures are proposed to maintain road safety and manage congestion on the surrounding main roads affected by the Orford LTN. These main roads include Long Lane, Orford Road, Padgate Lane, Marsh House Lane and Longford Road.
Cllr Balding is also asking for more consideration to be given to residents who live within the Orford LTN area. Options should be assessed for the inclusion of their licence plates in the list of vehicles, in addition to buses and taxis, authorised to use the Hallfields Lane Bus Gate.
Cllr Balding said: “Conservative councillors are receiving lots of messages from unhappy residents about these schemes, which by coincidence are due to start on the same day as the next Full Council meeting on 20 June 2022. Hopefully, WBC will listen and put them on hold, but just in case we are tabling a motion calling for an immediate pause in operations.”
The Central 6 streets plan is explained on: https://www.warrington.gov.uk/central-6-streets-plan
Campaigners organise town hall protest to oppose Orford low traffic scheme
6 Comments
I shall be at the peaceful demo on Monday. Unfortunately you can’t get poo from a rocking horse and they will not budge. I use many of those roads daily. It’s going to make it very difficult for people eg nurses. Carers who won’t be able to access.
We pay Road Tax but cannot use them. Disgraceful and selfish decision
Have the council thought about when we have a accidents on the motorway s and we are gridlocked .what time will the protest take place
This ill thought out scheme should be cancelled immediately. It’s nothing to do with pollution control and everything to do with raising cash from hard working residents going about their daily business for this financially inept labour led Council.
I live on Orford green and the traffic we have now is bad enough, as heavy vehicles take no notice of the heavy load signs, and lots of vehicles who think it is clever to cut across from poplars ave to on coming traffic passing our house instead of going around Hilden island has caused many near accidents over the years , if there is problems on the motorway we get streams of traffic so consequently this new proposal is going to be the worst thing they could do to the area,as this will effect business , families , and even the emergency services. I hope this can be stopped.
If this goes ahead, we need to bombard the council each and every day this “trial” is running. They say we need time to adjust, I don’t think we could or would ever adjust to this daily headache.
just remember when the time comes for re election just remember the clowns that done this and boot them into oblivion never to be seen or heard from again.