Anger over planned Walsall one-way system

Bath Road residents have submitted a petition signed by 68 households protesting against Walsall Council's one way proposals from the direction of Little London to St. Michael Street in Caldmore.

The dispute follows on from a major row which erupted between residents and the council over a one way system introduced on Caldmore Road last year.

Former St Matthews ward councillor and resident Mohammed Arif is working with Bath Road residents in their battle to get the council to re-think the plans.

He said: "I opposed the Caldmore Road one way scheme and submitted a 1,500 signed petition into council which was ignored by the ruling group.

"It looks that democratic wishes of the resident's in Bath Road will once again be ignored and council will impose their proposed scheme to hide their embarrassment of making Caldmore Road one way.

"The proposals for Bath Road will allow vehicles to take a short cut to Caldmore Road and Town Centre.

"The fundamental problem is the bottleneck at Corporation Street and Wednesbury Road traffic lights for traffic, especially buses, turning right to go to town centre.

"Traffic queues at peak times stretch all the way back to Weston Street hence, motorists use side street to bypass traffic congestion in Corporation Street."

Aside from changes at Bath Road, Sandwell Street is proposed to be turned into one way from Highgate Road junction to West Bromwich Road mini roundabout.

The plans as a whole were sent out for consultation in July and residents are asking that if they must be introduced that traffic is moved in the opposite direction.

Nasir Sarwar, a Bath Road resident, said: "We are disappointed that despite objections council has proposed one way systems.

"This will make Bath Road a rat run for Caldmore Road vehicles and cause increase safety fears for children.

"I hope common sense will prevail and council and cabinet listens to us.

"We agree, that following disastrous decision by Council to make Caldmore Road one way, Bath Road and Sandwell Street do require to be made one ways but not in that direction."

Councillor Lee Jeavons, portfolio holder for regeneration said: “Letters were delivered to hundreds of homes in affected streets inviting residents to attend a consultation event on 24 July. I understand that the consultation event was well attended and the majority favoured ‘Option A’, which is also the Council’s preferred option. A further benefit of holding the event was that residents were able to suggest some additional refinements which officers agreed would improve the overall scheme and I’m pleased that these have been incorporated into the final design.”

“The one way and parking restrictions are now subject to a statutory legal process and this will commence with advertising the scheme. This will involve, as always, a period of 21 days during which objections may be submitted.”