No cash yet for raft of options to solve Evesham's chronic congestion problems - The Evesham Observer

No cash yet for raft of options to solve Evesham's chronic congestion problems

Evesham Editorial 10th Nov, 2017 Updated: 10th Nov, 2017   0

CONGESTION busting options to improve Evesham’s road network are being held up while highways chiefs complete the town’s long-awaited traffic model.

This is despite council chiefs agreeing to fork out £11million on improving Pershore’s road network next year including the construction of the much-awaited Northern Link Road.

Worcestershire County Council’s Local Transport Plan, approved by the cabinet last week, is a 13 year vision which sets out the authority’s plan to improve the county’s transport network.

A number of options to aid Evesham’s chronic congestion problems, dubbed the ‘Vale of Evesham Package,’ are included in the proposals.




The A46 from Evesham to Tewkesbury will be transformed into an ‘expressway’ route which would see the A46 become a dual carriageway.

Congestion, traffic lights and the designs of the Worcester Road and Greenhill junction, Abbey Bridge junction, Cheltenham Road and Davies Road junction and Vine Street and High Street junction will all be reviewed to see what improvements can be made.


Transport chiefs also hope to upgrade the notoriously busy Port Street junction.

Evesham’s railway station could also benefit from improved waiting areas for passengers, more secure parking for motorbikes and pushbikes and better walking and cycling links to the town centre.

County chiefs hope to develop a network of cycling and walking links across the town in a bid to get more cars off Evesham’s congested roads.

But Coun Ken Pollock, cabinet member for Economy and Infrastructure, told the Observer discussions on the funding needed to deliver the projects had not yet been undertaken.

Proposals would be tested in the long-awaited Evesham traffic model which is due to be completed this month, according to Coun Pollock.

Only then will the County Council know how much the ‘Vale of Evesham Package’ will cost.

“The Local Transport Plan (LTP) provides a transport policy and strategy framework for our major transport projects across the county and enables us to bid for additional Government funding,” he said.

“In order for us to effectively bid for any finding required, we need be very clear on what we need to do.

“This requires different options to be tested and a preferred solution to be agreed before costs for each project can then be given.

“This work has already started for Evesham and we will be able to give more details in due course.”

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