Frustration at delays over plans for the future of Warwick

In recent years a number of groups have been set up to map out the future of Warwick, tackle its key issues, primarily its long standing traffic problems and empty historic buildings, and to find a way forward.

The main two groups are the Warwickshire County Council-led Warwick Traffic Forum (WTC), and the Town Centre Partnership Development Group (TCDG), which is a collaboration of several organisations including the Warwick Society, town council and district council.

Only the WTC, formed in 2005, boasts any progress at all, with recent traffic improvements made in Castle Lane. In August it had a new consultation based on a 75-page town design guide.

The TCDG last year put out a consultation document and in June put together another options paper which included ideas such as a congestion charge and town centre cinema, but it never saw the light of day.

At a recent meeting of Warwick Town Council frustration at the delays, confusion and disagreements between those involved boiled over amidst suggestions to create a new group.

Cllr Moira-Ann Grainger said: “I’ve been attending these meetings for five years and don’t have in my mind what the difference is. Are we just creating more meetings for people to go to?

“The town’s not changed but the traffic demand has increased. These groups have produced nothing. If we had a public consultation why are we having another one?”

Cllr Stephen Cross added: “There’s been much discussion about the town centre group, it’s a massive body. I’m confident the best thing is to create a new strategic group because we’ve spent a lot of time going nowhere.”

Warwick’s traffic problems mainly stem from it being a medieval town not designed for cars. This leads to a lot of congestion, particularly during rush hour and the school run.

Town clerk Derek Maudlin said: “The traffic forum seems to have been with us forever. It isn’t anywhere near where it should have been. It has been hijacked by a street by street approach rather than looking at the overall issues. Although I am really pleased to see the works going on in Jury Street.”

One town resident said: “It’s frustrating. Meetings go on and on, somebody needs to grab it by the scruff of the neck.”

County councillor Martyn Ashford explained: “There have been differences of opinion trying to formulate a document to go out to the public to make a statement of intent for the future of Warwick. The county council are going through a process of asset management where we are looking at disposing of a number of properties and that is likely to take a while.”

Outside consultants are now due to be involved to help prepare a brief on the future of Warwick.