RESIDENTS in Wirehill are stepping up their campaign to improve road safety on Nine Days Lane.
Members of the residents association are calling for a new high friction road surface on the steep hill that serves the estate, better parking arrangements by the Alex and easier access for drivers exiting onto Woodrow Drive.
The plea comes as the new 131 house estate behind the Alexandra Hospital nears completion.
Access for the development will be via Nine Days Lane, doubling the traffic it carries.
For Bob Price, chairman of the Wirehill Residents’ Association, it’s a clear question of road safety.
“What we are trying to do is address the issue before someone gets hurt,” he said.
“You can look at all the statistics you like on this but doubling the traffic is doubling the problem.”
Campaigners have already enlisted the support of Redditch MP Rachel Maclean and last week County Councillor Alan Amos, Worcestershire’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways, paid a site visit with highways engineers and local County Councillor Pattie Hill.
“I think they took most of what we were saying on board and we’ve already had feedback from them so we know they haven’t gone to sleep on it,” said Bob.
Residents were told a high friction road surface would cost about £10,000 – but the developer might help pay for it.
They’d also like double yellow lines further up Wirehill to improve visibility for drivers exiting the new estate, and better organised parking for those cutting through to get to the Alex.
“We recognise people will always park there to get to the hospital but when they leave their cars on both sides of the road it becomes single track, so we are asking for a disciplined parking arrangement,” said Bob.
A harder problem to solve is access on to Woodrow Drive, particularly for those turning right.
“It can be very frustrating and there have already been a number of minor shunts, and when the development is completed it will be worse,” said Bob.
“Traffic lights are a no-no, and an island would cost £50,000 which they can’t afford.
“A boxed junction has been suggested which might help and they are looking into that.”
