CASTLE Bromwich residents have given their overwhelming
support to plans to improve road safety and create more parking spaces in the
centre of the suburb.
The proposals, which have been drawn up by Solihull Council,
will see a number of changes made to Chester Road
and Hurst Lane North .
Concerns have been raised that the busy junction is unsafe
for cyclists and pedestrians, while a number of businesses along the shopping
parade have previously criticised the shortage of parking bays.
Now the council have lifted the lid on the Hurst
Lane Place Project, which will plough more than half a million pounds into
tackling these concerns.
Among the proposals being considered are plans to overhaul
the parking facilities in the nearby service road and to provide new footways.
There will also be changes to traffic light signals and the creation of a
shared cycleway.
Two consultation events were held recently at Castle
Bromwich Junior School
However, some have raised concerns that the scheme will not
reduce the queueing at the Morrisons Petrol Station, which is known to cause
congestion at busy periods. Other locals are worried that creating a mini roundabout
outside the supermarket and narrowing a section of the Chester
Road could in fact make traffic problems worse.
Solihull Council’s highways officers argue that delays are
likely to be “minimal” outside of peak times.
Around £25,000 has been put towards the project by McCarthy
and Stone, the developer of Henshaw Court
– the retirement complex recently built on the former site of the Chester Arms
pub. The remainder of funds would be made available from the council’s own
Local Transport Plan.
Last week, Councillor Ted Richards, cabinet member for
transport and highways, noted the progress of the project and agreed for his
officers to finalise costs. The item will be considered again at his next
decision making session, in June.
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