Wicker bus gate to be relaxed?

Story: Nas Rauf

In February Wicker business achieved an overwhelming victory with the Council agreeing to relax the Wicker bus gate. 30 businesses put together a 2047-person petition to the council calling for better signage and relaxation of the bus gate restrictions overnight (7pm -7am).

The Wicker still remembers the summer floods that swept through businesses. After the loss of business due to the floods, a further blow was a bus lane restriction in January 2008 in Wicker. The restriction was to calm traffic in the area and divert it to the ring road - a "time-consuming and money-making plot for the council," says local businessman Mr Ahmed , of Raja's, after confusing road signs and directions were put up to avoid ring road works. Fines accumulated up to £99,225 in the first 7 weeks alone and over 4,341 motorists were caught.

Despite the concerns of planning officers, councillors voted to support the traders. They decided that a month be given so that the council officers could come up with designs for how this could be done. However, things were again delayed at the 16th March meeting as councillors were not satisfied they had adequate information given to them by the officers' report, which again recommended that the bus gate should remain in force 24 hours a day.

Whilst on one hand, local businesses could do with what Wicker Pharmacist Ellie Bennett calls an "extra lifeline," the council officers' case is that relaxing the bus gate will cause a hazard to pedestrians.

Local businessman, Imran, of Imran's Diner, added that, "Petitions have been signed and council has agreed. However the whole process has taken a long time. It will be worthwhile in the long run for all the businesses and local people".

Members of staff at Raja's say "They need to make it happen and they know they can."