‘Incredibly divisive’ planters installed in Stretford are set to be moved.
The fixtures in the Longford Park area, which shut the road off to vehicles and ‘promote walking and cycling’, were installed as part of a government campaign during the early stages of the pandemic.
Trafford council was handed a lump sum specifically to promote ‘active’ transport options in 2020 – and was given a tight deadline.
When they were first installed on a temporary basis, the council was criticised regarding their installation, location and suitability.
Following extensive public consultation, a small majority consensus was reached in which the planters should remain in the area, but their exact locations slightly changed.
Now, the cubes designed to prevent rat-running on Cromwell Road and Norwood Road, installed in November 2020, are due to be re-located over the weekend of December 17 and 18.
They will be moved from Norwood Road (near Kings Road) to Norwood Road at Longford Avenue and from Cromwell Road (near Edge Lane) to Cromwell Road at Longford Avenue.
The planters on Hillingdon Road will remain in their current position near Edge Lane.
Currently, a number of residents have flexibility in their route choice and arrangements do not prevent all through traffic. The new arrangement, however, will only allow access by motor vehicles to properties within the road closure zone via either Kings Road or Edge Lane.
Coun Stephen Adshead, Trafford council’s executive member for the environment, said: “The planters were installed as part of a campaign by the government and local authorities to promote active travel and social distancing, as well as helping with clean air priorities.
“We have listened to the views of residents through three local consultations. At the latest consultation, there was a small majority in favour of retaining the planter on Hillingdon Road and re- locating the planters on Cromwell Road and Norwood Road to create a full Local Traffic Neighbourhood. With bikes often being a popular choice of gift at Christmas it makes sense to bring these changes in now, ahead of the festive period.”
To gauge the impact of the new arrangement and take on board feedback from residents, the revised road closures are being introduced on an experimental basis and comments received within the first six months of operation will assist in the long-term decision as to whether to keep, remove or amend the closures.
Dom Jordan, resident of Norwood Road who is in favour of the planters, said: “The council have really delivered for the residents of the Longford Triangle with this move. To their huge credit, while the initial positions of the planters were flawed, they listened to the people who live on these streets.
“They thought through the best solution and now they’re going to deliver on the next phase of the trial. It’s a brilliant example of how a partnership between the council and people can work together to deliver a community-led solution.
“We’re so excited to be part of what is a flagship scheme for Trafford.
Getting this right will mean many more of these Low Traffic Areas being rolled out across the borough. This will benefit thousands of families and reduce urban pollution and road danger for ever.”
Residents who previously spoke out against the planters, fearing the ‘chaos’ they could create in the area, did not respond to a request for comment.
