A CONTENTIOUS trial of yellow lines on two busy city roads to improve traffic flow will not be continued in a ‘victory for people power’ according to Worcester Labour chiefs.
Coun Lynn Denham and Coun Richard Udall spoke out after highways bosses confirmed the six-month experiment to ban parking along stretches of London Road and Bromyard Road would end with the lines being removed.
County chiefs had hoped the move would speed up traffic flow along two of Worcester’s arterial routes and therefore ease congestion.
However, having reviewed all of the data, Worcestershire County Council has admitted the lines have had ‘little impact’ on traffic flows in both areas.
The move was bitterly opposed by both councillors before it was introduced and claimed the end of the temporary measures meant ‘resident concerns have been vindicated’.
“As councillors, the most important thing we can do is listen to the concerns of our residents and act on them accordingly,” Coun Denham said.
“In advance of this trial, residents told me loud and clear single yellow lines on London Road would bring no benefit, but would increase risk to pedestrians.
“There are several informal pedestrian crossing points on this stretch of road where children walk to and from Blessed Edward and inviting higher speeds was always unwise,” she added.
Coun Udall said: “Worcester Labour championed our residents in resisting this trial by every means necessary; speaking up through the consultation process, pushing back firmly but respectfully against council officers and scrutinising the data.
“We always admire the expertise provided by council officers, but there is never a substitute for the real-world knowledge which comes from forming strong relationships with residents.
“We are delighted that resident concerns have been vindicated.”
The county’s highways chief Coun Mike Rouse sought a more conciliatory tone and thanked Coun Denham, Udall and Coun Steve Mackay for their input and for ‘demonstrating we can work together’.
“Having listened carefully to officials and to cross-party representations made on behalf of residents, I have decided it would be appropriate to ask officers to remove the lines,” he said.
“The intention was to see if journey times could be improved by clearing away parked vehicles, however there was not statistically significant improvements.”
A Worcestershire County Council spokesperson, said “We have now reviewed all the data and taken the decision, based on that information, to remove the lines as they have had little impact on traffic flows in the area.”
