'Roadblock' planters to stay in place

COUNCILLORS BACK PLAN TO KEEP FILTERS DESPITE FEARS OVER AMBULANCE DELAYS

- NICK STATHAM

PLANTERS used to block traffic and encourage people to walk or cycle are to stay in a neighbourhood despite concerns about ambulances being delayed.

A three-month trial of the controversial low-traffic scheme ends this week.

Heaton Chapel's Active 'Neighbourhood scheme' launched in September and was aimed at reducing 'rat running' while increasing road safety and air quality.

Temporary measures to be introduced by Stockport council included 20mph zones, a one-way system and a new mini-roundabout. But huge controversy has surrounded the use of ‘modal filters' - essentially giant planters blocking off one end of a road to stop drivers using streets as cut-throughs.