Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsBromsgroveA38 plan goes public

A38 plan goes public

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Coun Spencer with residents from Slideslow Ward and Jo Dalton from Worcestershire County Council

Sarah Rees

Sarah Rees reports from the Oakalls and Parklands.

Hundreds of residents attended a public session about improvements to the A38 corridor, including the Slideslow Roundabout. Representatives from the project team at Worcestershire County Council were on hand to answer any questions about the scheme.

The Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP) will deliver improvements on the A38 corridor between Lydiate Ash and the Hanbury Turn and consists of 12 individual schemes. It follows work that began last year to improve the junction with Barley Mow Lane, M5 Junction 4 and M42 Junction 1.

The BREP encompasses the Slideslow Roundabout, long considered a potential danger hotspot by Oakalls residents. The plans include proposed controlled pedestrian crossings on the four roads approaching the roundabout; the widening and upgrading of footways, including a new footway link to the Golf Club; road widening to create a two-lane exit onto the A38 northbound and southbound.

Coun Ken Pollock, the county council’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure, said: “This is a very busy route and one that is used for a wide range of journeys, from local trips into the town centre, to linking major road networks, such as the M5 and M42.

“We’ve already made a start on improving this corridor and these additional schemes would go a long way to improving reliability of journey times for those who have to travel by car. They would also encourage people to use alternative travel by improving the local walking and cycling network.”

More information on the proposal, including maps of each of the 12 schemes, is available on the Worcestershire County Council website.

 

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Parents Ian and Vicki Jones, Yvette and Andrew Bennett, and Diane and John Taylor at the tree planting

MEMORIAL TREES

Coun Caroline Spencer and The Rev Paul Lewis of Bromsgrove Baptist Church joined a gathering of residents for the planting of three oak trees on the grassy area on Davenham Road, replacing the large horse chestnut tree felled last August.

The new trees were planted in memory of Tom Jones, Charlotte Taylor and Harry Bennett – who all grew up on The Oakalls and sadly lost their lives at a young age.

The parents of Tom, Charlotte and Harry (pictured above) helped plant the trees, and a memorial plaque was placed next to each one. Rev Lewis then blessed the area where the trees had been planted.

Coun Spencer said: “These much-loved teenagers had enjoyed their childhood on The Oakalls and I felt this was a fitting way of remembering them all. There is now a special space for the families and their friends to pause and remember their loved ones.”

Please contact me with your news, views and concerns about any aspect of life on the estate. Email: oakalls@villageonline.co.uk