Calls to scrap city red route

Campaigners fighting to get rid of Wolverhampton's first red route have collected more than 40 letters of objection. Businessman Akbal Kainth, who lives in Stafford Road, said only one letter was in support of the controversial scheme.

His dossier, to be handed to the city council this week, includes comments from churches, shop and takeaway owners and residents.

Mr Kainth, aged 46, who runs K & K Fashions in Stewart Street, said: "I've been against it from the start – I've lived on Stafford Road for 34 years and parking has become a huge problem since the red route.

"I want to get the message across that the route should be scrapped and lots of people from the community agree.

"I spent two days sending out letters to 400 addresses in Stafford Road, and of the responses I got back only one person liked it. It's been easy enough for drivers to get down Stafford Road anyway, without a red route being in place. I would urge the council to take the responses seriously."

Campaigners are doing all they can to encourage transport chiefs to scrap the £1.7 million route, which started in March last year and is currently under review.

Last month another £40,000 was spent on re-painting parking lines along the route and ripping down 90 signs, to show motorists restrictions had been altered to allow parking in designated spots.

Those against the route say it has had little affect on congestion, and trade has suffered because of a lack of parking bays.

Councillor Peter Bilson, cabinet member for regeneration, has pledged to look into the responses