Stratford project delay
Proposed improvement plans for the Waterside and Southern Lane areas of Stratford have been delayed following a committee decision.
Warwickshire County Council’s Stratford on Avon Area Committee made the decision on Thursday not to approve the necessary TROs (Traffic Regulation Orders) to allow the Waterside and Southern Lane improvement scheme to proceed.
After considering the comments and objections received from the consultation on the proposals in April and May, and listening to a range of public questions and comments councillors approved an amendment put forward at the meeting which stated “That the Traffic Regulation Orders be deferred and that a simpler scheme should be put forward addressing the anomalies discussed at the meeting following consultation with residents of Stratford on Avon and all other stakeholders”. The amendment was approved 7:5 votes
Cllr Mike Perry, Chair of the Area Committee, said: “It was a difficult decision to make and we realise the ramifications this will have for World Class Stratford. However, on balance, members felt that the current scheme was not right for the residents of Stratford at this time.”
Cllr Chris Saint, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Housing as well as Vice-chair of World Class Stratford, immediately requested that the decision on the scheme be called into Cabinet for review. The exact date for a final decision on the scheme has yet to be confirmed.
David Pywell, Director of WCS, said: “This is a disappointment. An opportunity has been lost to complement the new Bancroft Gardens, contribute to the quality of the setting of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and provide an asset for residents, businesses and visitors.
“However this is a democratic process and councillors had to consider a wide range of opinions in reaching a difficult decision. I feel that a short period of reflection would now be appropriate for WCS.”
The overall cost of the scheme was approximately £1.9 million and was to be jointly funded by Warwickshire County Council (£0.873m from LTP funds ) and Advantage West Midlands (£1.03m). Scheme development costs to date are in the region of £68,000.