Urgent Call for Widford Park and Ride

12.00.00pm GMT Mon 20th Oct 2008

Chelmsford Liberal Democrats have called on the County Council for increased priority for the provision of a Park and Ride Service from Widford,

Park & Ride can help avoid delays like this

Questioning the Tory Cabinet member for Planning on the Borough Council, LibDem councillor for Marconi Ward Graham Pooley highlighted "the ongoing traffic issues at the junction of New Writtle Street with New London Road, in Moulsham more generally, and in Waterhouse Lane" and called for "… the County Council urgently to develop the business case for that with a view to bringing the target date forward"

The need has resurfaced in the public's attention following the likely go-ahead of the major re-development of the County Cricket Ground, but the traffic and parking conditions in New London Road, Waterhouse Lane and surrounding residential roads are already dire.

Keith Francis, LibDem County Councillor and the Party's Highways & Transportation Spokesman said: "Chelmsford as a whole will indeed welcome and benefit from a thriving Cricket Club. But by sanctioning yet more town centre flats, the Borough Council is already inviting worse traffic congestion - and this area in particular is simply unable to take it. Liberal Democrats say Park and Ride at Widford is a must."

Crucial will be for the County to recognize the urgency and press for Government support, and for the Borough Planners to identify the preferred site for the Widford service. Residents can add their names to this campaign by going to www.cmld.org.uk/petitions/11.html