MP challenges council over traffic congestion at Greasbrough junction
AN MP has locked horns with Rotherham Council over traffic problems in Greasbrough - with a claim that promised improvements to traffic flow following the loss of a ‘much loved’ building have failed to materialise.
Rotherham MP Sarah Champion has written to the council’s chief executive following a walk-about in Greasbrough, where she spoke to locals and witnessed how traffic negotiates a new junction arrangement.
She has asked John Edwards, who took on the chief executive role earlier this year, for information on how the council plans “to improve the flow of traffic at the junction” of Potter Hill, Coach Road and Main Street.
Improvement work in the area led to the loss of Greasbrough Town Hall, despite a campaign to save it, spearheaded by local man Graham Hobson, who recently died.
In her letter, Ms Champion states: “The junction was subject to substantial improvement works some years ago which were promised to deliver better flow of traffic and improved safety.
“These works necessitated the demolition of the former Greasbrough Town Hall, a much loved building and valued local amenity.
“The works generated understandable local opposition and a major campaign to preserve the building.
“Sadly, these efforts were not successful and demolition went ahead.
“Given the promises that were made at the time that the new layout would greatly improve traffic issues in Greasbrough, it is deeply disappointing that this has not come to pass.
“Traffic queues build up regularly, access to side roads is impacted, and the safety of both motorists and pedestrians is put at risk,” said the letter.
She had witnessed the issues on a walkabout, and heard from councillors.