Lib Dems to Tackle Traffic

A Liberal Democrat led council will tackle chronic congestion in Bromsgrove.

With more houses being built in Bromsgrove and the climate emergency, now more than ever we need to put in place concrete plans to reduce congestion.

The Liberal Democrats have long supported a Western Relief Road to ease congestion in Bromsgrove. A feasibility assessment was completed in 2015 by JMP consultants which detailed a Western Relief Road passing through land off Perryfields Road.

However, following the Conservative run council approving homes to be built on the proposed site of the Western Relief Road, this time, money and work has been wasted. The Bromsgrove Lib Dems have unveiled their plans for an independent study to assess traffic relief options should they be in charge of Bromsgrove District Council in a few days' time.

James Clarke, Lib Dem candidate for Sidemoor said: "Anyone who has driven around Bromsgrove at peak times knows there's a real need to tackle traffic. A Lib Dem led council would commission a new independent study to assess options to ease congestion, as well as promoting better and safer active travel options to get people out of their cars."

The independent study would keep the relief road option on the table, but any such project would be very different to previous road schemes. It would deliver biodiversity net gain and incorporate active travel routes including walking and cycling.

The Lib Dems also recognise that maintaining good local bus services is key to cutting congestion. Lib Dems want buses to become a travel mode of choice, not a last resort and will champion investment in regular timetabled local services including the 144. The Lib Dems fought for investment in new bus shelters over the last four years, and these are now starting to be rolled out. Lib Dems will continue to lobby for better bus facilities if elected in May.

Vanessa Verlinden, Lib Dem candidate for Sanders Park added: "The Conservatives' record on transport speaks for itself. They wasted millions on an A38 road widening scheme nobody wanted, cut local bus services, failed to deliver any serious cycle routes, and kicked the relief road into the long grass. The Lib Dems understand your genuine concerns about traffic and will tackle the growing problem head on instead of continually sweeping it under the carpet."