A HOUSING developer has been urged to resolve the ‘muddle’ over efforts to tackle the traffic on a busy Pershore road from a new estate.
Planning permission for the development in Station Road was granted on the basis Permission Homes would put in traffic lights at the junction of Station Road and Wyre Road before any houses were occupied.
But despite a staggering 30 homes already being occupied and six months since the development was finished, nothing has been done to tackle the traffic problems at the junction.
Coun Liz Tucker, who represents Pershore on Worcestershire County Council, said: “Condition 20 of the outline planning permission required the junction works to be designed and constructed, with traffic lights installed, before any houses were occupied.
“This was essential because there is a real risk to life and limb caused by vehicles coming out of the new development, into the existing traffic on Station Road.
“I have held several meetings with county council staff to find out why agreement has not been reached on the works.
“Whoever is at fault, this situation cannot continue. There has already been one fatal accident at that junction in recent years,” she added.
Her efforts have been backed by Coun Charles Tucker, one of the councillors for Pershore on Wychavon District Council, who has asked planning chiefs at Wychavon why no action has been taken.
“It beggars belief that a condition considered essential for highway safety has not been enforced months after it was triggered,” he said.
“Persimmon, Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon all have a responsibility to get this sorted, before there is another fatality.”
After Persimmon confirmed semi-permanent traffic signals could be installed very soon, Coun Tucker said: “This is good news as it will resolve the traffic safety hazard.
“The lights will need to be very carefully timed to avoid creating traffic jams. There are issues too for traffic in side roads like Mill Lane,” he added.
Andy Peters, managing director at Persimmon Homes South Midlands, said:
“We are working closely with Wychavon District Council and Worcestershire County Council in order to obtain technical approval for the design of the permanent traffic light junction.
“In the interim we have proposed a temporary traffic light solution.
“We are waiting approval from Worcestershire County Council and are actively chasing the County Council for a date to implement these works,” he added.
No comment was provided by Worcestershire County Council before the Observer went to press.
