Labour have been ignoring a council resolution passed in November to improve traffic infrastructure near Monks Cross, Liberal Democrat councillors say.

Cllrs Orrell, Runciman & Hyman at the Range store on Jockey Lane.

Back in November The Labour Cabinet Member Cllr Dave Merritt agreed to a scheme to improve the traffic infrastructure around Jockey Lane, Monks Cross. The scheme proposed a speed limit reduction of 40 to 30 mph, the construction of a toucan (pelican) crossing and the construction of a wider footway which would be segregated for both cyclists and pedestrians. It is also included resurfacing the carriageway.

However, 9 months down the line, little has been done to improve the conditions on Jockey Lane, despite constant requests from Liberal Democrat councillors Keith Orrell, Keith Hyman and Carol Runciman. 

Cllr Orrell stated: “It simply isn’t good enough. Jockey Lane provides the main source of access for local residents to Monks Cross shopping centres and so it is far too important to be neglected for nearly 9 months. The original plan was proposed back in September and passed in November and so for so little to have been done coming up to the end of July is quite staggering.

“At the Cabinet Member Decision Making session in November I requested that a right turn filter lane be put in for access to the Range Store. This was refused because the cost would be £25,000 – this is a tiny fraction of the money the Council will receive from developers for the John Lewis and M&S stores. Sadly, this means that local residents, pedestrians and cyclists will continue to be inconvenienced by queues backing up on Jockey Lane and harmed by the fumes from waiting cars.

“The lack of action over 9 months means that the road surface has deteriorated even further – it’s time the new Cabinet Member got a grip of this project.”