More red routes get the green light

Two more red routes worth £4 million are to come into force in Sandwell after being formally backed by council chiefs, despite opposition from families and traders.

No-stopping rules will run along the A4031 All Saints Way and A4041 Newton Road from West Bromwich to Great Barr, as well as on the A457 through Smethwick. Some amendments were made to address concerns, including adding more parking bays, but the decision was still criticised by campaigners at yesterday's cabinet advisory team meeting.

The decision means Sandwell will shortly have four red routes in place – more than any other West Midlands authority – with another five in the pipeline, all being paid for by an £8.6 million Government hand-out.

Measures will include painting red lines along the road banning stopping at any time in some sections, while adding other features including traffic lights and junction improvements.

A dozen All Saints Way residents turned out to object to the scheme, which had already attracted 600 protest signatures, telling the meeting the moves would wipe value off their homes and outlaw parking outside their houses.

Representatives from the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick High Street also raised objections to the A457 plan, claiming the parking restrictions would cause problems for the 10,000 people a week who worship at the Sikh temple.

Retired road construction worker John Shapcott, aged 69, speaking on behalf of All Saints Way residents, said: "We are pleased they have listened to some of our concerns, but we still don't want it, nobody does around here.

"We still believe in principle that this red route is unnecessary and a total waste of money."

Neighbourhoods chief Councillor Mahboob Hussain said the orders for the routes would be experimental for the first 12 months, with the chance to "iron out" any issues.