A decision on whether or not to axe Wolverhampton’s controversial A449 Stafford Road red route will be made next Wednesday, the Express & Star can reveal from papers that have been published.
They confirm that the cabinet will be asked whether or not the much-criticised congestion busting route should remain in place.
Wolverhampton City Council’s ruling Tory-Liberal Democrat alliance will be handed a 16-page report at the meeting, saying that the route has cut congestion by up to 22 per cent when travelling out of the city at peak times and should stay in place.
As the Express & Star previously reported, the officers’ report has been backed by a special scrutiny panel which debated it a fortnight ago.
But the red route, which has cost taxpayers £2.4 million, has been criticised by residents and businesses, with 95 per cent of feedback being negative.
Traders say that the signs down the seven-mile route, of which there are more than 200, have proved to be confusing.
The route was launched as a pilot in March last year to cut congestion, and is ‘no stopping’ apart from in dedicated bays.
When it came to power in May, the Tory-Liberal Democrat alliance made the scrapping of the red route one of the first pledges.
The cabinet is expected to go against the city council officers’ advice next week and confirm the route’s demise, which will cost taxpayers £150,000.
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