St Alphege

Addressing White House Way Safety Concerns

Community Campaigner Mark Geary’s update on the outcome of the investigation into visibility restrictions at the junction of White House Way and Blossomfield Road.  Drivers and local residents have complained about poor visibility at the junction.

The decision to remove two mature trees close to the junction was approved at December’s Environment and Infrastructure Cabinet meeting.  

Lib Dem Spokesperson, Councillor Kathryn Thomas, called for additional tree planting to ensure that the tree-lined aspect of the area would be maintained.  Following Cllr Thomas’s intervention, the decision was taken to plant six new replacement trees.

Between 2019-2021, there were two accidents at this junction, one of which involved a vehicle turning right out of White House Way.

A safety assessment of the junction by Solihull Council had concluded that visibility to both the left and the right was ‘significantly below the desired standard’.

It was also acknowledged that removal of basal growth from the trees had improved the problem (although this regrows annually) and the trees were only going to increase in girth in years to come, so the visibility would continue to worsen in future years. 

The replacement trees are due to be planted during the Autumn 2023 planting season.

Liberal Democrats have a track record of delivery in Solihull.  We will continue to keep you updated about issues in our area.

04 January 2023