Plans have been put forward for the partial closure of a major town centre road in Kenilworth

Plans have been put forward for the partial closure of a major town centre road in Kenilworth.

The proposal for the temporary closure of a section of Warwick Road is part of the government’s mandatory requirement for towns and cities to implement new measures to support the high streets as they reopen following the Covid-19 lockdown, but it has drawn criticism from local residents.

The idea, which has been put forward by Warwickshire County Council (WCC) and is due to be discussed at a Kenilworth town Council meeting on Thursday, means that traffic will be sent from the Clock Tower, along Abbey Hill and down Priory Road.

Councillor Jeff Clarke, Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for transport and planning, said the plan will be monitored closely, adding: "The measures are intended to be temporary and, over time, we expect them to be reduced or removed as social distancing measures are relaxed and traffic levels increase.

"We will, however, also be looking at whether there is an opportunity to take advantage of the recent upsurge in cycling and walking and embed this behavioural change to bring lasting positive benefits for health and the environment."

However, many local residents have pointed out the severe difficulties facing larger vehicles such as HGVs and articulated lorries at making the right-hand turn into Priory Road.

This they argue will have a ripple effect as larger vehicles will therefore be forced to approach Priory Road from Bridge Street by travelling up Castle Hill and along the old High Street, clogging up already crowded streets.

With a primary school and several nurseries and youth groups on the proposed route, the safety of the plan has been called into question.

Local resident Graham Dowlen said: “I’d like to see the risk assessments associated with this scheme and if they aren’t available or haven’t been done, I’d like to ask why.”

He also expressed frustration at lack of consultation with residents, stating: “I’d also like to ask why they haven’t spoken to residents.”

On the safety note, many concerns have also been raised about the Bertie Road section of the diverted traffic route as it would mean reversing the one-way system already in place.

This system was put in because of the blind exit onto Waverley Road which historically has seen many accidents.

Alan Cockburn, county councillor for Kenilworth St Johns, said he has written to WCC about the plans, on behalf of him and the other two Kenilworth county councillors, John Cooke and Dave Shilton.

In his letter, Cllr Cockburn said: "Whilst we understand the rationale behind the reallocation of road space schemes we feel that if Warwick Road was closed the other roads in the town could not cope with the displaced traffic.

"Consequently we would ask that the proposals be dropped and resources be redirected to towns where it would have more beneficial impact."

In a Facebook post on the issue, Cllr Andrew Milton argued the scheme “will help to improve social distancing as businesses get back to normal” adding that it will also “make active travel options like cycling and walking easier and safer”.

In a later statement, he also said how he recognises the concerns of some local residents, stating that: “We’re making sure that those concerns are fed back and understood by the county council and we’ll be pushing them to put in place appropriate mitigation and controls.”

Cllr Clarke of Warwickshire County Council added: “Developing solutions across Warwickshire is a significant and resource intensive task.

"There are a wide range of issues and community needs which require careful consideration and balancing.

"This includes the availability of traffic management equipment and the cost of introducing and maintaining measures which could run to several million pounds depending on the extent and duration of the interventions.”

Kenilworth Town Council’s finance and general services committee will meet to discuss the issue on Thursday at 7pm, after which point a decision will be made as to whether the plan is put in place.