Comments on: Fazeley congestion… progresss being made

By: Matthew Ellis (County Councillor)

Matthew Ellis (County Councillor) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:17:29 +0000

The issues of traffic congestion, partly relating to Drayton Manor Park, are complicated. The Agencies group I’ve brought together will work with DMP owners in three main areas.

Firstly, DMP are looking at ways of getting people into the Park more quickly. This will probably include work on the car parks inside and new arrangements for the driveway.

Secondly, reviewing the way traffic comes to DMP from the M42. Currently traffic is directed off at Jnc 10 and I want to see that changed to Jnc 9. In-principle agreement is in place from the national Highways Agency and Warwickshire County Highways with Staffordshire Highways, of course, supporting this. Staffordshire Highways are also looking at options in priorities etc near the entry to the Park and are also planning to install traffic monitoring cctv in and around the area before the very busy periods to understand the bigger picture.

And thirdly, the public transport available to DMP is not adequate. Arriva have been somewhat uncooperative in the past with regard to buses from the railway station and general local services. I’m hosting a meeting between local bus providers and train operators shortly to look at how things could be made better. That could mean County public transport subsidy, at least initially, and I can see that being difficult.

Things are moving along nicely and there is significant momentum from all concerned, especially DMP, which I’m confident will result in an improvement in time for next season.

That said, I’ve had two other significant projects involving a multi agency approach hit problems this week when each was progressing remarkably well and quicker than I could have hoped for. I will be trying to get those back on track and won’t be putting the Fazeley issues anywhere near the ‘done’ pile until things actually happen on the ground. I am hopeful though and will keep ‘encouraging’ all concerned.

By: David Winter

David Winter — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:46:49 +0000

Matthew

Well done in getting everyone to attend what appears to have been a good meeting about the Fazeley traffic problems. I hope we will hear what the plans will be early in 2009 to ensure that real action is achieved before next summer. The delays during last July and August were often over one hour and occured virtually every day between 10.00am and 1.00pm. My understanding is that the number of visitors to Drayton Manor during 2008 was no more than it had been some years ago and that there is likely to be a significant increase in the coming years. Hence the need for a real solution.

I appreciate the wider aspects of the problem such as routes from the M42, Ventura Park’s inadequate road system and even the Fazeley traffic roundabout, but the bottleneck appears to be at the entrance to the Park. Ways to ensure that more vehicles can leave the main road and enter the Park in less time is essential and the comment of Mrs Rammell-Sime about needing more traffic lanes appears highly relevant.

I hope you can ensure that the various Agencies provide the assistance required by the Management of Drayton Manor so that they in turn will invest in appropriate action that allows growth without inconvenience to local residents. Please keep us informed.

By: mrs julie rammell-sime

mrs julie rammell-sime — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:18:50 +0000

Mathew,
I encountered the traffic problem several Sundays during the summer when i had to drop my husband off at DPGC and then return myself to St Pauls in Fazeley for the morning service. The point i would like to make is that i witnessed first hand single lane traffic being used the whole length of the drive, on entry from the road into the park itself. I realise DM have painted 3 lanes ( 2 incoming, 1 outgoing ) on the road surface but there is inadequate lane width for most drivers to feel comfortable using them. Also in recent years they have planted tree stumps on the grassed area alongside the drive,thus making a defining edge to the lanes and so as is to be expected traffic sat in 1 lane. Whilst, this helped me because it meant i could indicate, pull out, overtake the line of traffic waiting and then indicate my proposed entry into the golf club where i had no problems with cars letting me in. But how frustrating for the traffic just sat there!!
My suggestion would be that DM widen the traffic lanes into the park by reclaiming some of the grassland to make adequate provision for car 3-4 lanes. 3 in,1out or 2 in,1out at the start of the day 2in 2 out at the end. Whilst it may create a bottleneck on the driveway it would relieve traffic on the road itself,and besides its not half as soul destroying sitting in a queue if you can see the goal in sight ie gateway!
I also think it would be prudent of DM to have the lane use monitered either by local police ( although this incurs a cost ) or responsible staff directing the lane use.
I speak on behalf of alot of church family when i say “well done and thanks ” for the progress so far. Acknowleding a problem and accepting personal responsibility levels is a huge step ” passing the buck never gets anyone anywhere so thank you and i hope the talks remain constructive.