Dickens Heath deserves better traffic system - Liz Lynne

6.32.44pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 31st Mar 2006

The Dickens Heath traffic system

Liz Lynne, Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands, today called on Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council to act now to sort out the traffic system in Dickens Hill.

Liz Lynne visited the new village today with Cllr Maggie Howard and council candidate Charles Robinson, to see for herself the driving and parking problems the new system has caused.

The original concept for the village, on the outskirts, was for it to be pedestrian friendly, with traffic nuisance kept to a minimum. But the village has been plagued by traffic problems, which are only likely to increase if the Borough Council approves a proposed one way system when it

meets on April 20.

Speaking after today's visit, Liz Lynne said:

"Residents in Dickens Heath have had to endure not just years of construction traffic, but the additional danger of speeding traffic and woeful parking provision - in narrow roads with no crossing points."

"The proposed one way system will funnel lorries and other traffic down residential roads next to the only play area in the village. It is clearly a non-starter."

Local campaigner Charles Robinson, who will be standing for council this May, said:

"Solihull Council and the developers Parkridge are deviating from the plan. Introducing the one-way system will only increase the risk of speeding traffic."

"This has not been thought through - it's an accident waiting to happen."

ENDS