Council 'head in the sand (From Warrington Guardian)

Council 'head in the sand

THE council 'has got its head in the sand' if it thinks cycleyways and bus lanes will solve the town's traffic jams, the head of the Chamber of Commerce said.

Colin Daniels said only a major investment in new roads will save Warrington from gridlock.

He also said he council's claim that congestion is no worse than anywhere else despite motorists complaints shows: "It's the borough council who have lost track of reality, not the motorists."

His views were disputed by the manager of Warrington Borough Transport, Nigel Featham.

Mr Featham said: "Continually building new roads is not a complete answer.

"As fast as we build roads, car traffic increases and there simply isn't the money available. We need a new approach that increases investment in public transport."

Rod King of Warrington Cycle Campaign said: "The best way to ease congestion is to offer an alternative to the car.

"It does not help that 26 per cent of households in Warrington don't own cars.

"If we are realistic about easing congestion we must all change our ways and use our cars less."

Phil Johnson, head of transport at Warrington Borough Council, said the local strategic partnership had ranked road building as its lowest priority.