ANGRY residents in Webheath have hit out at Worcestershire County Council which they say is failing to address major concerns over the state of local roads.
Land between Webheath and Bentley village has been earmarked for 2,800 new homes, but campaigners say their fears over the amount of traffic the development will generate have fallen on deaf ears.
“We’re looking at something like an additional 10,000 vehicles on local roads, 6 to 7,000 for the new residents then all the delivery vehicles, buses, vans and so on yet the county council doesn’t seem to think it’s a problem,” said Webheath resident David Rose.
Locals have been in touch with the authority listing a number of general improvements they would like to see put in place before the thousands of extra vehicles hit the road.
These include more pedestrian crossings, road widening, pavements on both sides of each road, Increased signage and traffic speed calming measures.
They are also concerned about the structural strengths of local roads amid concerns these will break up under the weight of more traffic.
However in a detailed written response to the campaigners the county highways team questioned the need for many of the changes stating the council has a ‘duty of care to ensure all roads are suitable for the activities expected of them. It is not necessary to undertake structural assessment as a precautionary measure’.
However officials then go on to say that if found to be necessary, the work would be carried out.
“This is an opportunity to get the developers to pay for these road improvements for the benefit of all and instead it will be down to the local authority further down the line who will have to pay for all this when the need does arise,” said Mr Rose.
“I was flabbergasted by their response. It is incomprehensible in it’s disregard for the future public safety of Webheath residents, pedestrians and drivers,” said Mr Rose.
