MP backs campaigners concerned about planned junction changes in Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton Council says it will help reduce traffic congestion and improve safety, but there are fears that the plans will just shift traffic congestion onto other roads, reduce air quality and force traffic down narrow, windy roads, causing safety issues for pedestrians and cyclists.

Protestors are calling on the council to halt its plans and launch a more formal consultation process which would take account of the Tettenhall neighbourhood plan, giving due consideration to its legal standing in 'placing local communities at the heart of decision making'.

Now, Wolverhampton South West MP Stuart Anderson has also called on Wolverhampton Council to rethink the plans, which residents have labelled as 'chaotic and potentially dangerous'.

He has written to the council’s chief executive to voice residents' concerns about the scheme, which would introduce a ‘no right turn' rule at The Rock junction where Tettenhall Road meets Henwood Road and Lower Street alongside other changes.

Having lived in Tettenhall himself, Mr Anderson said that he shared the concerns raised about the scheme and the 'lack of meaningful consultation'.

Mr Anderson said: “I have been contacted by many residents who are concerned about plans for a Traffic Regulation Order being imposed upon them by the council in the Tettenhall area of Wolverhampton, including the Rock junction.

"My constituents are very worried about the lack of meaningful consultation which has taken place on the scheme.

"I have written to the council to voice these concerns.

"While the council is ultimately responsible for assessing the needs of all road users in their areas and for implementing any appropriate traffic management measures, our expectation is clear; we expect the possible impacts on communities, both positive and negative, and any mitigations for these, to be considered.

"We also expect the needs of residents, emergency services, and local businesses as well as those who work in and visit these areas to be balanced and carefully considered.”

The consultation period on a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) over the highway changes ended on Friday.

Last week, a spokesperson for Wolverhampton Council said: “After the launch of the consultation on proposed measures around the junction of Tettenhall Road (A41) and Henwood Road, the council received many enquiries.

“As a result, further information and detailed data about the proposed changes were made available on the council website.

"This was highlighted on the council’s social media channels which encouraged people to have their say.

“The consultation period was also extended to Friday, January 12 to allow the additional information to be considered.

“No decision has been made on whether to implement the scheme at this stage as we will first consider all comments and representations from the consultation.

“On completion of the consultation there will be drop-in sessions to provide individuals with the opportunity to discuss any specific issues.

“If it is decided to proceed with them they will be implemented through an experimental TRO and the period for objections would continue for the first six months.”