A CALL for compromise to allow St Johns to recover from the effects of the Coronavirus has been made ahead major roadworks which get under way next week.
Coun Richard Udall made the call to highway bosses at County Hall over their plans to impose major traffic changes in St John’s. The work is due to start on Monday (June 1) and last at least eight weeks.
While he admitted he still opposed the plans, Labour’s self-appointed ‘Voice of St Johns’ said the timing of the major revamp for the area was ‘awful’.
“St John’s has suffered enough in 2020, first the floods and then lockdown, just as shops and businesses are preparing to re-open they will be hit with massive traffic disruption and roadworks. It is simply too much, too soon,” he said.
The proposals include narrowing footpaths, removing pedestrian refuges, removing bus lanes and painting the highway brown.
Coun Udall has asked for a postponement of at least a year, to allow for public consultation and to give an opportunity for businesses and traders to recover from the lockdown.
“St Johns’ residents who will have to live with the changes and local shops which front St John’s, should at least be given an opportunity to comment on what is being proposed. The changes should not be imposed upon them,” he said.
“We govern by consent, we do not dictate to residents like some kind of benevolent dictator, the people of St John’s deserve a say in what is going to happen. Local government should not be afraid of basic consultation.
“My message to highways bosses is give us a year to recover, give residents and traders an opportunity to comment, give us a chance and some hope.”
Coun Alan Amos, cabinet member for Highways said: ”I’m delighted we’re now at a stage where we can begin the relieving congestion works in St John’s, the final part of our Worcester NPIF programme.
“The work at both Sidbury and Croft Road in the city has highlighted our commitment to reducing congestion both in Worcester and across the county.
“In addition, once these works are completed, we will be carrying out significant improvements to and upgrading of the pavements between the Church and the Sainsbury’s/Bransford Road junction which will make St. John’s look and feel a much nicer place.”
“There is a great detail of work to be carried out which means that this system will continue in place up to and throughout the summer holiday period.
“The council are hoping to complete phase one of the main scheme whilst traffic levels are normally at their lowest.”
