Furious Kevin Kennedy is threatening a legal challenge over new city centre bus and cycle lanes.
The move comes after motorists and residents said the changes in Chester were causing ‘mayhem’ and ‘chaos.’
Now Mr Kennedy has written to Cheshire West and Chester Council, alleging the new layout was implemented without ‘proper public consultation.’
The local authority launched the travel lanes for cyclists and buses on October 5 as part of its campaign to make cycling a safer option and to increase the speed of public transport.
They will operate for an initial trial period of six months and have been placed along the A5116 Liverpool Road and the A51 Boughton for travel in and out of Chester.
In his letter to the council, Mr Kennedy, from Ellesmere Port, said: “I contend the bus lanes were implemented without proper public consultation and did not follow the usual requirements establishing baseline traffic and environmental levels.
“Nor is there evidence of an impact assessment. The implementation breached several planning processes and regulations.
“The council has repeatedly ignored the requests of local residents to suspend and cancel the bus lanes. They are not wanted by residents.”
Mr Kennedy claimed the bus lanes had increased traffic and emissions and had added ‘significantly to people’s travel times.’
He ended the letter by warning the council if it failed to suspend the bus lanes within the next two weeks, he will file an ‘application for judicial review’.
Chester Business Club, an organisation set up by Chester business leaders, has also raised concerns over the new lanes in a separate letter.
It has been sent to council leader Louise Gittins and claims the lanes will produce ‘significant snarl-ups’ throughout the morning and evening, which will be detrimental to businesses.
The club’s letter adds: “We understand that some consultation took place regarding the new bus lanes (although, as a club, we were not involved). But we are writing to you to express our deep concerns about its introduction because it represents yet another threat to the commercial viability of the Chester business community.
“One thing seems inevitable: if/once traffic resumes post-Covid levels, the new lanes will produce significant snarl-ups morning and evening – and all at a time when Chester is on its knees and urgently needs measures that will help promote business, not hold it back.”
The council recently launched a taskforce to listen to any concerns and issues from residents, road users and businesses. It includes input from residents’ groups, representatives from motoring organisations, the business community, haulage companies, cycle groups and parish councils.
The first meeting will take place at the start of November, with the taskforce meeting regularly to analyse the latest highways road use data and ongoing feedback.
Councillor Karen Shore, deputy leader and cabinet member for the environment, highways and strategic transport, said: “We are listening to residents and businesses and are mindful of the difficult circumstances that Covid-19 is posing for everyone.
“The measures we have in place are aimed at making the journey into Chester as easy, quick and environmentally friendly as possible.
“If more people cycle and travel by bus, we will all benefit from better health, less pollution and protect our environment.
“At the same time, to encourage visits into the city centre and support our business sector, we have introduced measures to make it quicker and cheaper to travel into Chester.
“Our park and ride service costs only £1 per person for all-day parking, and the experimental active travel bus lanes are in place for buses, cyclists and ‘blue light’ vehicles such as ambulances.
“We are also keen to balance this with the needs of people travelling in cars.”
Article originally appeared on Cheshire Live
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