THE LEADER of the city’s Labour group has slammed the city’s congestion problems, saying it has turned Worcester into a prison.
Coun Adrian Gregson caused a stir at Worcester City Council’s annual budget meeting last Tuesday, February 24 when he compared Worcester to Alcatraz.
His reference to the federal prison, which is based on Alcatraz Island, came during a speech to the city’s Tory leadership where he urged them to spend £25,000 on creating more bike storage in Worcester.
Coun Gregson said he believed this would encourage more people to get on their bikes and help ease the city’s issues with congestion.
“We are all very much aware of the issues and difficulties which the city has in terms of congestion,” he said. “It seems like every road you go down there is going to be some traffic works.
“You can’t get in down Barbourne and you can’t get down Lansdowne Road. It is proving to be something of an Alcatraz.”
Coun Simon Geraghty, leader of Worcester City Council said he was “very shocked” by his analogy, but he agreed the council should make the amendment to the budget.
“That is not an analogy that I would ever use,” he said. “But if this can help alleviate congestion and is something that helps our communities to be more sustainable then we should all get behind this.”
Coun Lynn Denham also backed her fellow Labour councillor’s proposals as she believed more storage units would help decrease the level of theft in the city.
“Local cyclists tell us that more safe secure storage in the right location is a priority. Not just for their bikes, but their bags and possessions,” she added.
“As a member of Safer Worcester, we have evidence which shows theft is a serious crime in the city. More secure storage would help to reduce crime.
“This budget amendment is about a small expenditure in response to residents’ request which will potentially have many positive benefits.”
Councillors voted unanimously to make the amendment, while Coun Gregson apologised for comparing Worcester to Alcatraz, saying he was trying to think of somewhere “you can’t get in and out of”.
