A CONSULTATION looking at tackling congestion on the Birmingham Road is set to be launched.
Townspeople are being invited to attend a public exhibition being held by MP Nadhim Zahawi at the Stratford Artshouse on Rother Street on Friday (January 22) between 5pm and 7pm.
The meeting will look at proposals suggested by Warwickshire County Council (WCC) to alleviate congestion on the increasingly traffic-choked main route into town.
Residents will also be able to have their say on which they think is the best solution.
The exhibition will also be open on Thursday January 28 and Saturday January 30 at the same venue between 10am and 4pm with WCC transport representatives on hand to answer any queries.
And the exhibition boards will also be on display at Stratford Library from Tuesday February 2 until Monday March 7 – the closing date for responses.
Traffic on the A3400 Birmingham Road has been an ongoing issue for many years, with much of it made up of shoppers heading to the Maybird Centre and nearby Tesco.
WCC’s proposals include improving pedestrian and cycle links, road widening, and a dedicated slip road into Tesco car park. Longer term measures could include a new east-west link road.
Mr Zahawi said: “Congestion has damaged the image of the town and interfered with the lives of my constituents for too long already.
“Finding the right solution and implementing it in a lasting way can’t be done overnight, but I’m excited that we have progress in the form of this consultation on the proposals, and that local people will get to have their say.
“I look forward to a good turnout of constituents at the consultation and looking at the solutions that have been proposed, and letting WCC know what option they think is the best.”
County transport spokesman, Peter Butlin, added: “We know there are complex travel strains on the Birmingham Road, combined with a large number of side road junctions to a wide range of destinations.
“A third of people highlighted congestion on the road as a priority to address at the Stratford traffic summits last year and I encourage people to give their views on the various options.”
Along with the county council’s plans to relieve congestion on the road, they are looking to reduce the current 50mph speed limit to 30mph.
The limit would affect traffic shortly after coming onto the Birmingham Road from the Bishopton roundabout. If it goes ahead it will make nearly all of the busy road from the roundabout to the town centre a 30mph zone.
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/BirminghamRoadStratford to see details of the proposals and complete a feedback form.
