Tory County plans will make Chelmsford a Raceway

7.00.41pm GMT Sat 12th Nov 2005

Lib Dem Cllr. Tom Smith-Hughes. "Tory County plans will drive coach & horses through town centre vision"

Lib Dem Borough Councillors have slammed Tory County plans for a one-way circle which could turn Chelmsford into a racetrack. Lib Dem Tom Smith-Hughes said, "Despite the Borough Council's Town Centre vision for a greener and pedestrian-safe environment, County traffic bosses have driven a coach and horses through it as they obviously consider their priorities more important." Lib Dem leader Cllr. Chris Rycroft commented, "This is a blatant disregard for the future of Chelmsford Town Centre. It will turn Chelmsford into Le Mans, and I can't see how it would have any effect on Chelmsford's log jams.

Tory traffic boss, Maldon Councillor Rodney Bass said, "Chelmsford council is confusing their Masterplan for the next five to 15 years with the urgent need to do something to relieve the congestion in Chelmsford now."

Tories on the Borough are appalled at their County colleagues coming up with what is, in effect, a fait accompli with one-way plans to speed traffic in Victoria Road, New Street and Market Road - even removing the speed humps there - and linking to an already dangerous Parkway.

Chelmsford Raceway - a danger to public and all road users.

But the County Tories warned the scheme will go into effect within six months, which leaves perilously little time for meaningful consultation. Cllr. Tom Smith-Hughes added, "As the proposed scheme is costed at over £700,000, it is unlikely that any part of it will be modified to accommodate long-term plans the Borough Council have for the town centre, and is therefore driving the whole Town Centre agenda."

In a subsequent statement, Maldon Councillor Bass said there will be no decisions without consultation, and plans will be ready for comment on the one-way system and the continued closure of Duke St. within a few weeks.