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Friday, April 6, 2012
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ADAMS: HALF MY SQUAD WILL WALK Projects aimed at cutting congestion
£3.7m TO GET CARS OFF ROAD BY ALEX CAMPBELL
alex.campbell@thesentinel.co.uk
GOVERNMENT funding of £3.7 million is to be ploughed into cutting congestion and improving roads for shoppers and commuters. Stoke-on-Trent City Council is to invest the cash in more than 70 projects ranging from major repairs to new bus lanes and cycle routes. The council said the funding would improve public transport to help get more cars off the roads and support the local economy by boosting regeneration schemes like the new Hanley bus station. Motorists have been asked to remain patient while roadworks take place. Major schemes set to begin within the next 12 months include: ■ a road and bridge maintenance project costing £1.8 million; ■ improvement programmes costing up to £800,000 for Hanley and all five town centres, including projects to
improve traffic flow to the new bus station; ■ more than £450,000 being spent on improving cycle paths and making popular school routes safer for children. Bus stops will also be improved, with LCD information screens installed in Burslem, Longton and Stoke. More cash has also been pledged to fund bus lane enforcement to deter car drivers from using them. Paul De Santis, network manager for First Midlands, pictured, said: “We welcome investment in bus routes, but the real issue is the unpredictable traffic congestion. “It’s a big nut to crack that will require a lot of discussion and expenditure. It’s encouraging that it’s been recognised that bus journeys need to be made more attractive in terms of predictability.” School run parking chaos is set to be tackled with a citywide programme to impose new traffic orders and paint new road markings. Detailed plans are also being
drawn up to improve road safety at black spots. They include an overhaul of the Smallthorne roundabouts, near Burslem town centre, which have seen 26 accidents in three years. The three mini roundabouts control six roads leading into a crossroad. The Stafford Street and Old Hall Street pedestrian zone in Hanley is also to be extended. Motorist and mum-of-two Melissa Turner, aged 35, of Fenton, said: “I hope the council is spending the funding wisely as they do need to make it easier to get around. “Getting stuck in traffic puts people off going to Hanley.” Councillor Adrian Knapper, cabinet member for transport and planning, said: “Key areas this funding will target include the economy, improving public transport, encouraging safe and sustainable travel, highways and bridge maintenance and improving the efficiency of the road network.”
Is it money well spent? Email us at letters@thesentinel.co.uk Getting roads moving: Page 6
Cats poisoned by anti-freeze
Picture: Mark Scott
THE RSPCA has issued a warning for cat owners to keep an eye on their pets following a case of anti-freeze poisoning. Two cats owned by the Cooke family, of Meir, died within days of each other, with tests showing high levels of the poison in their system. Now the charity is advising owners to keep pets indoors. See Page 4
Firm’s £800k debts shock A WAREHOUSE worker has told how he found out he no longer had a job - in a text. A meeting of creditors of Gilberts House Furnishers, in Hartshill, was told John Robinson was at a hospital appointment when he got the message. It emerged the company owes more than £800,000 to creditors. See Page 7
Retailers bring jobs joy to city ABOUT 100 staff will start new jobs next week when national retailer The Range opens in Stoke-on-Trent. The home, garden and leisure superstore will open its doors in City Road in Fenton on April 13. Its opening will come just a few weeks before Smyths Toys unlocks the doors to its new outlet at the Phoenix Retail Park in Longton. See Page 11
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