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Tough Red Route call
CITY transport chiefs have a tough decision to make over the future of the controversial Stratford Road red route, a councillor said.
It comes after an official council inquiry heard evidence on the successes and drawbacks of the no stopping route set up to reduce congestion on the busy commuter route.
The inquiry heard evidence from Stratford Road Traders Association, which claims that small businesses are losing customers since the double red lines were introduced last year.
They also heard that there is now less congestion on the busy commuter route.
Inquiry chairman Coun Martin Mullaney (Lib Dem, Moseley and Kings Heath) said: "We have got a difficult decision to make.
"The businesses say they are losing money and they have to live with this every day. It is their livelihoods, I feel for them.
"But on the other hand the buses are more reliable and there are more people using the buses. The air quality has also improved which means less children will develop asthma and there has been a reduction in accidents."
It was also claimed that if the council was to reject the red route it could scupper Government funding for further red routes and congestion busting measures. The transport scrutiny committee will report its findings next week.
Their conclusions will be presented to cabinet member for transport Coun Len Gregory (Con, Billesley) who has until March 27 to decide whether to make the route permanent.
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