I can see gridlock in near future

It is generally recognised that we face a severe housing shortage particularly for affordable housing both to buy and for rent. Labour councillors are very clear that this shortage needs to be addressed and we will continue to work to fulfil the desperate gap in our housing needs. On the other hand, there are significant concerns relating to infrastructure planning such as education, health and transport.

The number of homes that have been proposed and the locations of those homes is very challenging and as councillors we will need to scrutinise every major application that comes along to ensure that the quality of life that we enjoy in the district is maintained for future generations.

In order to do this, the transport infrastructure also needs to be of the highest quality. I am afraid that as things stand the plans in front of us do not stack up and I can see gridlock on our streets in the near future; escalating the poor air quality in Leamington and Warwick that we already experience. The current proposals offer traffic lights to replace roundabouts; not much of a solution. There also are no effective arrangements in the plans for cyclists and pedestrians on major intersections even though they are apparently at the top of the sustainability agenda. The plans seem to me to be rather tired and lacking in innovation. Princes Drive in Leamington is a good example where traffic lights have replaced a roundabout with the effect that the queues are much longer than before producing poor air quality next to one of our most popular parks. There is also very poor provision for cyclists and pedestrians. Is this an indication of the future?

At last week’s council meeting, I called on the executive to revisit transport planning to ensure that the promise of a sustainable transport plan is not just pleasing words but is a real commitment. I am pleased that the executive have agreed to look at this issue again. However, it needs to be a review that is both innovative and radical so that we can address this problem face on and not go for the easy options which frankly will just not work.

I look forward to this review and hope that it will be an inclusive process that truly embraces localism by including local communities, the people who will have to live with poor traffic schemes, and local transport groups such as Cycleways and Leamington Rail Users Association.

Cllr Jerry Weber, Warwick District Council, Labour Group