Liberal Democrats in Ormesby ward on Redcar & Cleveland Council have carried out a traffic survey on Ormesby Bank as part of their campaign to limit house building in the area.

The results are staggering. There were:
• 1864 vehicles on Ormesby Bank near Swan’s Corner between 7.45 am and 9.00 a.m.
• 3812 vehicles on Ormesby Bank in a 3-hour afternoon spell.
• 125 vehicles on average on Ormesby Bank every 5 minutes in both rush hour periods.
• 132 vehicles on average on Guisborough Road near the schools every 5 minutes in the morning rush hour.

Such is the local opposition to any more house building that a petition with over 750 signatures is being submitted to the Council today calling on the Council to stop the sale of Swan’s Corner field.

Ormesby ward Lib Dem Councillor Glyn Nightingale said:

“We’ve never come across an issue that so many people oppose than the Council’s plans for house building in our area. The 115 houses at Swan’s Corner and 320 at Longbank Farm would add significantly to the traffic on the already congested Ormesby Bank.”

Lib Dem Councillor Ann Wilson questioned the need for more houses, saying:

“It makes no sense to build here. Local population decline is projected to fall further; the extra traffic will be a nightmare; more green fields and an open environment will be lost and there will be significant pressure on school places and other services.”

Fellow Councillor Irene Nightingale added:

“The Council needs to listen to local people and make far more rational decisions than it has so far with a house-building free-for-all on green field sites.”