Traffic lights in Longdon

Traffic lights in Longdon

During repairs to the bridge in Longdon, temporary traffic lights were installed, which residents felt had a huge impact on increasing the safety of residents and road users using the bridge.

As a result, the Transport Group liaised with residents, the parish council and Telford and Wrekin Council regarding this and a public meeting was called on 9th December. This was attended by 16 member of the public. At this meeting, residents shared their concerns regarding pedestrian safety and Telford and Wrekin Council suggested that permanent lights could be installed, although there would be a cost to this. (The minutes of this meeting are available on the website here).

The Parish Council has looked at funding options but there are none available at present. The only viable option is to request an increase to the Parish Council precept. The precept is the part of Council Tax that the Parish Council requests in order to fulfil their responsibilities to the parish residents such as cemetery maintenance, village projects and other statutory obligations.

At the Parish Council meeting on 11th February, Councillors heard residents’ views on a possible increase in the precept which would be used to help fund permanent traffic lights in Longdon. Councillors considered all views expressed by members of the public, both in the meeting (11 residents present) and received via email (4) and reviewed all options available. (The minutes of this meeting are available on the Rodington Parish Council website).

Whilst mindful of the increase in Council Tax for residents, Councillors were also aware that not contributing to the cost of the lights may result in a loss of momentum on the pressure that the Parish Council has already placed on Telford and Wrekin Council to install permanent lights. It was felt that, whilst residents should not have to pay more for the local authority to fulfil their responsibilities to the community, it was an unfortunate truth that Councils across the country are haemorrhaging funds. The Parish Council was concerned that not contributing to the cost of the lights could result in years of waiting for a solution which residents want and need in the village.

The Parish Council has therefore resolved that the precept will be increased over the next two years. However, this money will not be automatically given to Telford and Wrekin Council, but used to create a ringfenced reserve fund for road safety.

The Parish Council will contact Telford and Wrekin Council to ask for a full assessment of the viability of installing permanent lights in Longdon. If the lights are not installed, the Parish Council will reduce the precept by £15,000 in the 2027-2028 financial year.

The Parish Council is aware of the financial burden on residents of Rodington Parish. The increase in the precept will result in a Parish Council tax bill of approximately £9.69 per month, compared to £6.56 per month based on the original precept request. This is an increase of approximately 78 pence per week.

The Parish Council will continue to work closely with the head of Highways to ensure that adequate measures to improve road safety are put in place in Longdon, and remains committed to providing a transparent, approachable and proactive local service for all residents of the parish.

We would urge members of the parish to contact Adam Brookes at Telford and Wrekin Council ( adam.brookes@telford.gov.uk) and our local MP Mark Pritchard (contact) if you have points that you would like to make about the Parish Council having to subsidise road and pedestrian safety improvements on a road that is primarily driven on by non-residents.