A section of road in Kenilworth's town centre is to remain closed to motorists, with the county council hailing the success of a temporary scheme aimed at reducing collisions and near misses.

Vehicles were banned from travelling along a short section of Station Road at its junction with Warwick Road during the pandemic, with a temporary closure order then put in place from November 2021.

That temporary restriction is due to end in May but Warwickshire County Council's portfolio holder for transport and planning, Cllr Wallace Redford today (February 17) made the closure permanent.

A consultation period led to letters both in favour and against the scheme which has the backing of Kenilworth Town Council which has begun creating a pocket park at the end of the road.

Meanwhile a survey of Nub News readers - which had more responses than the council's consultation - also found locals were split evenly on whether Station Road should remain shut.

A report outlining the plans said: "The experimental scheme prohibited the misuse of the right turn ban at the junction of Station Road and Warwick Road, which was widely ignored by motorists.

"Additionally, the closure created a pedestrianised area for local businesses to utilise this space, creating a small pedestrian parklet.

"The scheme has successfully reduced the number of near misses and collisions at this junction due to it being closed, and does not cause an adverse environmental impact on traffic around the area. 

"Warwickshire County Council is satisfied that the experiment was successful. In the experimental closure period, it monitored the traffic flow under normal, post Covid conditions, and monitored the effect the closure had on this traffic. 

"Naturally, as a road has been closed, traffic has been displaced to surrounding roads, including Abbey End, so whilst traffic using this road has increased, WCC have not reported any significant impacts on this road. If the permanent closure of the road is approved, a full safety assessment will take place on surrounding roads and any engineering measures installed as appropriate."

But speaking to councillors today, local resident Guy Ferguson said more evidence was needed before the proposal was discussed. 

"It's like operating on a patient before you've diagnosed the condition," he said, 

"It needs a full assessment. 

"There appears to be no assessment of extra traffic, especially HGV's, through Abbey End Car Park, which is wholly undesigned for the traffic." 

He added: "There's been no assessment whether a light controlled junction could be fitted at this point to prevent the right term being made; again, there's been no assessment in light of so little information."

But Cllr Seccombe said assessments had been done and promised that objectors and supporters of the scheme had been spoken to.

The county council report added that the town council said that it would like this section of the road to be paved as it had a long-term vision of creating a pedestrianised area for extra seating and amenities for local businesses.

Such work would be subject to separate discussions and the funding coming from the town council.

Councillors said at the end of September that it could cost around £50,000 for it to be paved over.

And the report set to be discussed next week says: "Any future works will solely be funded by Kenilworth Town Council and subject to separate discussions."