Alongside Steve McCabe MP (Labour MP for Selly Oak), I’m warning that it is only a matter of time before there is a serious collision near Birmingham Council’s Lifford Lane Depot in Kings Norton. We are calling for urgent action by the City Council to resolve multiple hazards associated with traffic trying to gain access to and from the site.
In a letter to the Council we have raised our concerns that congestion around the Council depot on Lifford Lane is causing severe delays, with some drivers attempting to cut along the outside of the queues to get on with their onward journeys. This congestion problem poses real and immediate risks of head on collisions.
Beyond Lifford Lane itself, traffic going to and from the depot is also causing significant hazards on the nearby Melchett Road – where parked cars line the road through Kings Norton Business Centre on weekdays.
After a recent visit to the area, I said:
“There simply is not enough room in the area for the weight of traffic, especially when you see so many commercial vehicles weaving in and out trying to get to and from Lifford Lane as quickly as possible.
A number of parked cars have already had their overtaking mirrors removed by passing traffic, and it is only a matter of time before something more serious happens.”
And Steve McCabe added:
“I have received countless complaints from constituents about traffic problems around Lifford Lane tip, it has become noticeably worse over the last few months with people going to the tip to get rid of their green waste.
It is having a real impact on local businesses and residents and the Council’s response to this growing problem is just not good enough. If they don’t get on with sorting it out someone will get hurt.”
We have called for a summit with Council bosses and the police to establish an action plan to cut congestion and improve safety in the area.
