A RETIRED coach driver has come up with an inventive approach to solving Wilmslow’s traffic and parking problems.

Howard Piltz, from Lyndhurst Close, has lived in Wilmslow for 45 years, and in that time he has seen congestion in the town spiral.

But the 71-year-old is looking forward to seeing the A555 open in the near future – and believes it could give Wilmslow a chance to see its traffic woes come to an end.

Howard is proposing that three roads in the town centre become one-way, and he believes his plan is ‘the only way to cure the problem of congestion in Wilmslow’.

He told the Guardian: “Once the A555 is opened there will be a link between the A34 and the M56.

“So if Cheshire East Council can get its act together, it could ban heavy goods vehicles from driving through Wilmslow, except for access. There would be no reason to pass through the town centre.

“If HGVs were not passing through the town, then that would mean Bedells Lane and Hawthorn Street could be used as the main road between the south of Wilmslow and Altrincham Road.”

Howard’s suggestion is to turn Water Lane into a one-way road from Altrincham Road towards Alderley Road.

Alderley Road itself would become one-way heading south, from the Rex crossing to the Kings Arms roundabout, while Bedells Lane and Hawthorn Street would be a one-way route from the roundabout up to Altrincham Road.

The idea would effectively create a small ring road in the town centre, and Howard believes this could also free up additional space for on-street parking, as vehicles would only travel down one side of the road.

“Parking in Wilmslow is a problem – it’s getting worse,” he added.

“This idea could create parking on-street parking spaces for visitors to use when going to the shops, but they could be limited for two or three hours so commuters don’t use them all day long.”

Howard has spoken to Cllr Gary Barton, CEC member for Wimlslow West and Chorley, and Cllr David Brown, CEC cabinet member for highways, about the idea.

Although he accepted traffic and parking were problems in the town, Cllr Barton told the Guardian he was unsure Howard’s solution would be welcomed by residents.

“I’m not too sure residents would look too kindly upon a one-way system,” he said.

“The costs involved in such a project are not something we have the funds for at this time either.

“But we are looking at possible sites in Wilmslow for more parking spaces, because the Spring Street long stay is often full, the train station car park is often full.

“At the moment we are looking at Broadway Meadow as a possible site for a multi-storey car park – and that’s the only realistic place we could put one in town.”

Would Howard’s idea resolve the town’s parking problems, or cause new ones? Have your say at facebook.com/wilmslowguardian or email yourviews@guardiangrp.co.uk