PLANS to close a road leading to the popular Beacon Hill viewpoint on Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve have been slammed by Bromsgrove’s Rubery district councillors.
Labour Councillors Peter McDonald, (Rubery North), and Esther Gray, (Rubery South) have branded plans from Worcestershire County Councillor Adrian Kriss (Con, Beacon) to close Monument Lane after dusk as ‘unjust’ and ‘discriminatory’.
Coun Kriss and Anita Dale (Con, Cofton) say the proposals are in response to repeated concerns from local residents.
Coun Dale said she believes the road closure will offer support for residents whom she says have been verbally abused by motorists who have parked on their driveways when trying to access the Beacon.
She says emergency vehicles have also struggled to access homes on the lane at these times.
Couns Kriss and Dale also fear the Beacon becomes a hotspot for anti-social behaviour during these events, with offenders letting off fireworks on the grounds, which is prohibited.
The Beacon viewpoint is also closed after dusk meaning people should not be visiting late of an evening such as to watch firework displays on Bonfire Night or New Years Eve.
However Coun McDonald said: “It’s clearly unjust to deny local residents who have for years enjoyed watching the firework displays across the city.”
Coun Gray said: “It has become a family event for many of the residents I represent on these occasions to enjoy the display of fireworks from Beacon Hill.
“It’s shocking that anyone would want to stop people watching such displays.”
Coun Kriss said: “We want to protect residents and prevent them being affected by the inconsiderate parking and disrespectful interactions from visitors.
“It’s vital to find solutions to help people prior to the event.”
Councillor Dale said: “We aren’t stopping anyone’s fun, we just don’t want residents to be disrespected.”
Coun Kriss plans to hold a consultation with residents to get their full perspective.
The council will need to have the support of West Mercia Police to arrange the closure as a formal event is required for a council to grant a road closure.
PC Marc Ginder, Hagley and Rubery Police said: “Historically the roads mentioned virtually grind to a halt because of the sheer volume of traffic that attends on Bonfire Night and New Years.
“This often results in numerous calls to the police and frustration for residents.”
