Motorists facing daily ‘battle’ through traffic - The Evesham Observer

Motorists facing daily ‘battle’ through traffic

Evesham Editorial 10th Aug, 2018   0

THE CHAIRMAN of the Evesham Vale Civic Society has launched a withering attack on council chiefs for creating a modern-day ‘Battle of Evesham’ for the town’s long-suffering motorists.

James Powell spoke out in the week county transport chiefs admitted there were ‘no simple answers’ to solve the traffic woes which have blighted the heart of the town for a number of years.

After the successful Battle of Evesham event last weekend, Mr Powell told the Observer motorists faced skirmishes on a daily basis with one of the latest battles being on Greenhill, the site of the original conflict in 1265 but reduced to one lane as new gas pipes are installed.

The furious former planning consultant blasted the lack of improvements to sewers, water mains, electricity, car parks and the road network to accomodate the influx of housing developments across the Vale.




“Wychavon’s planning committee recently approved two schemes to the west of Cheltenham Road and on Abbey Road in Evesham. The roads were approved by Worcestershire County Council’s highways after being ‘modelled’ and considered satisfactory to accomodate the new developments,” he said.

“If this is the case why has £100,000 been spent on models and surveys of Evesham’s traffic yet there is still no answer to the town’s chaotic traffic?”


“The town of Beverley in Yorkshire recently did away with 48 sets of traffic lights throughout the town, introduced mini roundabouts and other features for pedestrians. The traffic improved overnight.”

The Observer reported last month on more than 20 options which have been considered in a bid to improve traffic in Evesham in the future which was reduced down to just four changes to be examined further.

Measures being considered include improvements to junctions and traffic signals together with improved facilities for cycling and walking, whilst a part of the strategy is looking at the possibilities for improving how the A46 functions. To this end, the strategy is assisting Highways England, the body responsible for the operation of this trunk road, the only one in the county.

And speaking this week about the plans, Coun Ken Pollock, cabinet member for Economy and Infrastructure, said:

“Unfortunately there’s isn’t a simple answer to alleviate the transport issues in Evesham.

“The County Council is committed to reducing congestion throughout the county and Evesham is just one of the projects we are working on. The measures that are planned to be introduced will improve travel through Evesham for residents and also benefit businesses in the town.”

A stakeholder group has also been set up to ensure there is good communication between representatives of Evesham and the two councils.

The stakeholder group consists of Evesham’s representative bodies, Worcestershire County councillors, Wychavon District councillors, Evesham Town Council, VECTA, Vale of Evesham Civic Society, the Ramblers and Cycle Evesham Vale.

Visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk and search for Evesham Transport Strategy for more.

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