Kenilworth residents have just days left to have their say on whether Station Road should remain closed.

The town centre street was originally shut in spring 2020 to ease social distancing during the pandemic.

Following a request from Kenilworth Town Council, Warwickshire County Council announced last November that it would remain blocked off into 2022 pending a public consultation.

The extension was originally put in place for up to 18 months, and residents now have until Monday, May 29 to voice their opinion.

Station Road is only fully closed for the first 16m from its junction with Warwick Road, with KTC currently building a 'pocket park' in its place.

The next 82m is open for access for goods and emergency vehicles, as well as for access to Talisman Square car park.

The council's 'pocket park' benches are due to be painted by Kenilworth Arts Festival

Whilst a final decision is yet to be made, town councillors have already said that a long-term plan is needed should it be shut permanently.

More details can be found on the WCC website here.

Council Comments

A WCC spokesperson said the council was committed to road safety "through engineering, education and enforcement".

Adding: "At present, the closure of Station Road is under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order that has been requested from Kenilworth Town Council, with the vision of permanently closing Station Road to remove the junction bell mouth onto Warwick Road and turning the location into a pedestrian area due to a high number of road users ignoring the right-turn ban at this junction.

"This experimental period allows KTC, along with WCC, to monitor the pedestrian/traffic flow and interaction to see if the closure will have an adverse effect on the Town Centre and members of the public. 

The road is only fully closed for a short section at its junction with Warwick Road (Image via WCC)

"After this experimental period has been completed, Kenilworth Town Council and Warwickshire County Council will reach a mutual decision on whether it will become a permanent feature."

KTC added: "Kenilworth Town Council understand and appreciate that there will be differing views and will be asking Warwickshire County Council to formally evaluate the experimental order that is currently in place, however at all times consider that safety is paramount."