Businesses are voicing serious concerns that double-red lines planned for one of Stoke-on-Trent’s busiest roads could devastate local businesses.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is proposing to introduce its latest red route along part of Bucknall New Road, in Hanley.
The scheme would see double-red lines replace the existing double-yellow lines between the junctions with Potteries Way and Lindop Street.
Any vehicle stopping on the carriageway would be fined £70.
Mobis phone shop owner Lassaad Ben-Hmida, 42, fears the move will be disastrous.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is proposing to introduce its latest red route along part of Bucknall New Road, in Hanley
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He said: “It will kill business. The town is already dead. It will kill me. It will kill every business here.”
“All the time the council is coming out with something - and then the council says, 'Why is everything quiet'? They should give people a few minutes to park outside.
“The council should think about businesses. There is enough of the town that is dead already,” he added.
Amy Griffiths, who works at Global Groove Records, noted: “We do occasionally have customers who will park up and run in.”
The shop’s manager, 54-year-old Peter Bromley, added: “They have put another lane in. Traffic is not as bad as it used to be. They put an extra lane to a town where everything is closed and deserted.
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“We have five deliveries a day. Most of our business has become mail order, like a lot of businesses have.
“Next door relies on walk-in trade. They need a lot of customers to park up and go in. They are not going to get the passing trade.
“We just do not think it is needed. The loading bay will be on Lindop Street. It will be dangerous for the drivers reversing from Lindop Street on to Bucknall New Road.”
Red routes are already in place across various parts of Stoke-on-Trent.
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, explained the council’s position.
Red routes are already in place across various parts of Stoke-on-Trent
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He said: “Following concerns about illegal parking, we have written to owners and occupiers of properties in the vicinity of Bucknall New Road in Hanley.”
“We have now received feedback and we intend to carry out further consultation in the near future on proposals to introduce new traffic orders which include introducing red routes on Bucknall New Road, between Potteries Way and Lindop Street. We are not in a position to provide timescales.”
“Not only do red routes improve the safety and accessibility of the road network for motorists, they also play a key part in helping to keep buses reliable and stay on time."
