A RESIDENT has complained his road has become a rat run following the blockage on Victoria Park Road with its junctions with Oates Road and Namu Road.

Kristian Weller, who lives on Morden Road, said he is concerned for the safety of school children come September.

He told the Daily Echo: “The big issue is the increase in traffic because the people originally going down Victoria Park Road divert themselves down our road.

“It’s an increase in traffic where there is a primary school and parents aren’t always considerate with their parking and it will be dangerous with the kids.

“It is a narrow road and that will get worse. We have noticed since this blockage cars speeding down roads, maybe they are frustrated and putting their foot down.”

The blockage was to trial a “low traffic neighbourhood” on Victoria Park Road as part of the active travel scheme.

Cabinet member for transport at BCP Council, councillor Andy Hadley, said the move was aimed at preventing the use of the Victoria Park Road as a rat run to make it safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

However, Mr Weller said residents were not consulted about the changes.

He continued: “We don’t know what consultation was done before hand and we don’t know what investigation has been done on the volume of traffic.

“We have been on the council’s website, we were given a link to give our thoughts and concerns.

“Ultimately we want them to remove the blockage and reduce the number of cars coming down our road.

“The school was not consulted. I don’t think anyone has been to look down the road to find out how problematic this will be.

“There’s quite a few families down the road, obviously with young children, it is a real concern.”

Responding to the concerns around the scheme, councillor Hadley said: “I regret the suggestion that this council is not being open and transparent.

“These plans are in direct response to the government’s call to get more people cycling and walking as the country recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

“Technical plans for each scheme are shared with ward councillors as soon as officers have drawn them up and ahead of implementation.

“We have always advised that clearer plans are being produced for the public as part of the consultation. This is not about secrecy but our aim is to give clear and accessible communications.

“Getting about by cars remains vital to many, but this is an important time for us to support active travel especially increases in cycling and walking.

“This is an opportunity for us to support people as they move forward with their new ways of travelling and I would encourage people to let the changes bed in and share their feedback based on experience rather than preconceived ideas.”