Councillors representing the concerns of local residents in Clifton have called in a decision not to agree a ‘point closure' on two streets in the ward. A report prepared by a council traffic engineer following problems of rat-running on Westminster Road and The Avenue in Clifton has recommended simply implementing a 20mph speed limit on the streets. But councillors say the Executive Member taking the decision ought to have agreed a point closure, where bollards are installed to prevent through traffic using the streets as a short cut.

Coun. David Scott said:

"Despite having listened to representations from myself and Coun. King, Coun. Galloway has persisted with the notion that a 20mph speed limit will address this problem. It will not. The main problem is one of significantly increased traffic as a result of the removal of an incoming lane to Clifton Green. Drivers know they will end up stuck in longer queues so head off down these residential streets to save time.
"A point closure would still allow access for residents of Westminster Road, The Avenue and Greencliffe Drive, but would stop through traffic continuing to blight these residential streets.

Addressing the Executive Member at this afternoon's meeting, Coun. Ken King said:

"I told the Executive member in plain terms that the majority of local residents are in favour of point closure, as the consultation survey results show. I also made clear that had officers carried out traffic flow monitoring before and after the Clifton Green changes, they would see a vast increase in traffic on these residential streets.

"Sadly Coun. Galloway has taken the simple, cheap option which will not solve this long-standing problem. This is why we as ward councillors have called the decision in to have it considered by a cross-party committee in the hope that it will consider the facts and make the right recommendation".