Conservative Councillors Bring Second Exit to Ventura Park

Traffic congestion at Tamworth’s Ventura Park should be eased as early as November when the new car park exit opens, thanks to the combined efforts of Tamworth and Staffordshire’s Conservative councillors.

Ventura Park is one of the county’s top shopping attractions and Staffordshire County Council’s highways team has been working closely with Tamworth Borough Council and Tamworth’s Sainsbury’s store to resolve congestion issues at the Jolly Sailor retail area and ensure people enjoy their shopping experience.

The County’s Highways team ensured detailed plans had been drawn up with the Sainsbury’s consultants so that any issues could be overcome in the design stages and Tamworth Borough Council’s planning committee approved the new car park exit onto the A453 Bonehill Road in the summer, meaning traffic leaving the store does not have to head back along Elmhurst Drive.

Now work is scheduled to begin week beginning Monday, October 8, with a scheduled completion date in early November, subject to weather conditions.

Councillor Steve Claymore, Tamworth Borough Council’s Cabinet member for economic development in Tamworth, said, “It is great news that work is about to get underway on the second exit.  We know that traffic at Ventura is a cause of frustration for residents and visitors, and this should help reduce the impact on roads around Ventura, and the work will be completed ahead of Christmas.

“Ventura Park is incredibly important to Tamworth as it provides jobs and has continued to attract major retailers to our town; this new exit should hopefully help reduce congestion at busy times.  I would like to thank Sainsbury’s for their hard work on this project and making it happen.”

Local county councillor Mick Oates said, “This is a big project by our highways team which will make a real difference to traffic around Ventura Park and help to ease congestion.  We’re all looking forward to seeing the scheme start so the new exit will be open as soon as possible and certainly in time for the Christmas shopping period.”

Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport Mike Maryon said, “The county and borough councils have worked closely together with Sainsbury’s on this project as we realise how important it is for the people of Tamworth and the continued success of Ventura Park as a leading leisure destination and centre for job creation.

“This demonstrates how improving our infrastructure benefits business, our economy and life for people who live, work and visit Staffordshire.

“We would ask people to bear with us during the month the work is carried out but we are sure the long-term benefits will be considerable.”

This would never have happened without the combined support of local and County Council Conservative Party councillors.