Integrated transport plan could cut Stratford’s road chaos

“We desperately need to get a detailed integrated transport plan,” Mr Stewart told the Herald. “If you have a proper plan you can apply for government grants to create a good transport system. I’ve studied a lot of networks all over the world to see how they work and these things are achievable because there’s a plan.”

The transport group has come up with its own concept for integrated transport in the town plan which it believes can take Stratford forward.

It covers pedestrians, active travel like walking, buses, coaches, Park and Ride, rail, cycle networks, taxis, cars and transport hubs north and south of the town centre to encourage the use of different modes of transport such as shuttle buses to the town centre or bus and rail links for other journeys.

HGVs would be banned from Clopton Bridge.

“Five and six-axle HGVs would be off the bridge. There’s one every four minutes and every time they enter the bridge it causes congestion because they have to stop until they can get on the bridge. It will require an alternative route, which will mean a new road,” Mr Stewart said.

On the subject of Park and Ride, the group is sure it can be made to work just like it does in Oxford and York.

“Making parking free at the Park and Ride would increase use so it’s cost-effective. It would also influence people because they could catch the shuttle into town on a dedicated route and avoid queuing traffic. The train at the Park and Ride could also be used to get people to the main station, it’s not quite the town centre but it is an alternative. As it is, the transport problem has gone on for so long, and is now so acute, that there is no single silver bullet,” Mr Stewart added.

Ten years ago, there was a glimmer of hope when the first traffic summit for Stratford was held at the Rosebird Centre.

It brought together county council transport chiefs, district councillors, Stratford MP Nadhim Zahawi and, importantly, members of the public so they could have their say.

Several summits took place to address key issues such as Stratford’s growing population, housing developments, the Local Plan, inadequate infrastructure, crumbling roads, erratic public transport services and increased car ownership in addition to its position as a major visitor destination.

The summit of 2017 was held at Stratford ArtsHouse (now Play House) and attended by hundreds of people. It was chaired by Mr Zahawi who outlined the proposals aimed at reducing town centre congestion and pollution and encouraging more people to walk or cycle into Stratford.

The 31-page strategy that developed over this time included tackling congestion on Birmingham Road. Proposed southern, western and eastern relief roads. Plans to upgrade the town’s Park and Ride, offering and a commitment to an overarching transport strategy.

Ten years on and not much has happened, apart from pothole repairs and resurfacing on Birmingham Road and a new bike lane. There are plans for more bike lanes, but the original plans to help tackle congestion on Birmingham Road have been watered down, with the county council saying the latest traffic surveys don’t justify the financial outlay.

This week the Herald invited Mr Zahawi for his thoughts on Stratford’s ongoing transport issues.

“Since my election in 2010, transport options and traffic solutions in Stratford has been a constant focus for me and my team,” he said. “Through my regular engagement with our local authorities, I know that work is ongoing between Warwickshire County Council, Homes England and Stratford District Council around what options are available, plus the costs and feasibility of implementation, as we look to better handle transport and the population growth in our local area.

“I believe that additional capacity is needed to make all forms of transport in Stratford more efficient, sustainable and safe. My constituents need more investment in our roads, and this government is delivering.

“Meanwhile I am working with our local authorities who have the responsibility for this work, for them to make proposals public for scrutiny as soon as possible, and I will also be assessing their impact. I look forward to being able to back those solutions, if they can improve our roads, as soon as possible.”

The political parties have had their say as well.

Stratford District Council leader, Cllr Susan Juned, (Lib Dem, Alcester East) said: “There has to be an integrated transport system. One of the major problems was when the Local Plan was completely suspended [in 2015] many developments went through without the necessary infrastructure in place. We’ve never seen any major improvements on Birmingham Road and if anything goes wrong on Clopton Bridge it goes wrong everywhere else.

“I’ve had a meeting with the county council about transport plans in Warwickshire but we need to know how that will translate in Stratford and Stratford district because people’s lives are being impacted.”

County Cllr Tim Sinclair, (Cons, Stratford North), said: “I’m very aware of the sheer frustrations and I’m trying to do something about it.

“Stratford is a growing town with a small infrastructure and it needs a transport plan. A plan that joins everything up and takes into account public transport, buses and trains and the roads to and through Stratford - I’m working on all of these things.

“The Park and Ride does need to be better used, but it’s just part of the jigsaw solution; last summer’s eight-week trial was a success and with free parking it saw a 70 per cent increase in usage and it was worth it. If it’s improved it will get used.

“What about having park and ride south of the town as well? HGVs should be banned from using Clopton Bridge and there’s always talk of another bridge over the river but where will it go and who pays for it as it would cost £100 million – central government?”

Cllr Olivia Hatch (Green Party, Shipston North), told the Herald: “We are all too aware of the difficulty in travelling to and around Stratford.

“What is lacking is a joined-up plan which makes it easier for people living in and around Stratford to access the town without their cars: For buses, we propose a continuation of the reduced bus fare scheme [£2 fares], with a bus timetable that extends earlier and later in the day.

“For active travel, a Cycle and Walking Plan is going through the county council at the moment, and the schemes included must be urgently put into practice.

“For cars, we know that new roads only increase traffic. Therefore, for a more long-term solution, we support the proposal for a light rail link, similar to a tram, from Honeybourne to Stratford. This would link Stratford to the London Hereford line, making it much more accessible by rail, and provide a car-free travel option for those living in Meon Vale and Long Marston.”

Stratford resident, former mayor and keen cyclist, Cyril Bennis, said the town has needed another river crossing for 60 years, but nothing has happened.

“It’s a tragedy there isn’t a long-term transport strategy to serve the community,” he said. “It’s always go, stop, go, stop – it’s a circus really.

“I’m concerned for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists on pavements and roads as the traffic levels have increased 20, 30 and 40-fold over the last few decades.

“As always there are a lot of words being spoken but absolutely nothing being done. Officers and elected members don’t get out enough to see what’s going on and listen to the community. I feel so sorry for the next generation with the rising pollution levels they face.”

There are lots of transport issues facing Stratford – and we’ve not even touched on the long-running saga of the south-western relief road and the extra traffic that will eventually be created by the Long Marston housing developments.

So is it time for another transport summit or do we stay stuck in tailbacks looking at the rear bumper of the car in front?