Council under pressure over Chester Road congestion

CONTROVERSY: Changes to the Chester Road have caused considerable
tailbacks, with residents suggesting that two lanes should be reinstated

TRAFFIC problems on a main route through North Solihull are now leading to nearby workers handing in their notice, councillors were warned this month.
At the recent Full Council meeting, Chelmsley Wood resident Fran Rickard said local people were having to contend with continuous disruption along the A452 Chester Road.
Previously a stretch of the road was reduced from a dual carriageway to a single lane, a cycle lane installed and three new pedestrian crossings added.
While Ms Rickard said she understood the reasoning from a road safety perspective, she was concerned that the changes had led to major congestion – with tailbacks stretching all the way to Birmingham Business Park.
Major jams are also reported on neighbouring routes including the Collector Road, Moorend Avenue and Coleshill Heath Road, with fears the situation could get even worse when construction work on HS2 begins.
“The vehicles are actually sitting idling most of the day, especially in the rush hour,” said Ms Rickard, who lives in Tay Croft.
“I’ve lived in the borough for 47 years and have worked at Birmingham Business Park for 20 years and I really do know this area well. What used to take me ten minutes to get to work now takes up to 40 minutes both ways.”
She told members that the noise, delays and traffic fumes were having a major impact on local people, and indeed some staff employed at nearby companies were quitting their jobs because of the time their commute was taking.
“What I’m asking is can the road layout be revisited and returned to a dual carriageway?”
Councillor Chris Williams (Green, Chelmsley Wood) had introduced Ms Rickard at the meeting and took to Twitter to thank her for raising the issue.
Solihull Council’s cabinet member for transport and highways, Councillor Ted Richards, said he recognised “how important the A452 in this location is”.
“We are aware there are currently localised congestion issues. The council has successfully secured £200,000 from the West Midlands Combined Authority to undertake a corridor enhancement study.”
The research will help identify priority schemes which might ease the traffic, although Coun Richards said it was imperative that steps taken to solve short-term issues didn’t cause further problems down the line. The study is expected to be completed by the spring of next year.