|
Villages near Coventry who have spent years campaigning for a roundabout to replace a notorious death trap junction near their homes have been told the plans have been shelved at the 11th hour.
More than a month after work was due to start on the junction at Ryton, which links the A45 with the A445 Leamington Road, and the B4029 Wolston Lane, the Highways Agency has announced the cost of the scheme has increased to an amount which cannot be justified.
When the long-awaited plans were finally given the go-ahead in May 2001 the Highways Agency slapped a price tag of £1.2 million on the scheme.
Today the figure stands at £1.4 million.
Paul Whitehead, project manager from the Highways Agency, said although the roundabout would still go ahead at some point in the future, he could not confirm when.
He also would not comment on whether it would even be within the next 12 months.
Mr Whitehead said: "This scheme was originally brought forward on safety grounds, but since the introduction of a 50mph speed limit and safety cameras in 2001 the severity of accidents has reduced at the junction.
"Along with increased costs due to design changes, the final cost of the scheme has now increased to a level whereby it could not be justified in terms of the benefits that would accrue."
Jim Boulton, 77, of Leamington Road, is among those who for years have campaigned for a roundabout and other improvements.
He said he was appalled at the decision.
He said: "This is absolutely ridiculous. I have been speaking to residents in the village and they just cannot believe it.
"I think when Mr Whitehead said it could not be justified in terms of the benefits that would accrue, that says it all.
"I would like to know exactly how many more deaths Mr Whitehead would like to see before the scheme can be justified." Mr Whitehead said the decision had not been taken lightly and the Highways Agency was disappointed it had to be made at a late stage.
But Mr Boulton said he believed the decision had been taken long before now.
He said: "It is so disappointing. We had previously been told the work was due to start in February, and now they are making out it has just been decided the work won't start.
I do not believe this decision has only just been made. I am taking the matter to Andy King MP." |