THE DECISION by the Planning Inspector to dismiss the appeal relating to the 490 Whitford Road homes on traffic grounds has led to campaigners reiterating the need for a relief road scheme to be looked into.
The idea, mooted by many over the years, would be for a ‘Western Bypass’ to be constructed to take traffic from Bromsgrove’s Eastern Bypass and divert it away from the town centre.
The Standard reported back in July last year how a motion put forward calling for the concept of a Western Bypass to be looked into was defeated during a meeting of the full county council.
Roy Dixon, the chairman of campaign group Whitford Vale Voice (WVV), said a relief road in the west of the town would now be possible because of the refusal of the 490-home plan.
“Anyone who is in any doubt about the state of the town’s ‘rush hour’ traffic would benefit from comparing it with our neighbouring towns by turning on the ‘traffic’ options on maps available on the Internet – possibly not completely accurate but definitely indicative.
“Some residents in Fox Lane would say this is not strictly necessary as they have queuing cars outside their front doors all day.
“We live in the hope that common sense – and the councils – will prevail.”
Coun Luke Mallett said the judgement by the Planning Inspector sent a clear message to officers and the leadership of both Bromsgrove and Worcestershire authorities.
“It seems clear residents have been let down by the councils who have failed to plan properly for their housing development plans.
“Their plans for Bromsgrove’s infrastructure, simply put, are not fit for purpose for their housing development plans.
“The two councils need to get around the table and put in place a proper integrated plan for infrastructure.
“Local residents in Bromsgrove deserve much better than this.
“All options need to be on the table – we need a full review of road and transport infrastructure in Bromsgrove.
“Development must be matched by proper transport infrastructure.
“A Western bypass should now be fully and properly considered.”
