Comedian Janice Connolly, best known for her character Barbara Nice, has questioned controversial proposals to ban through-traffic on two streets in Birmingham.
Janice, 71 - who reached the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent in 2019 and later had a role on BBC's Doctors - has spoken out against plans to instal 'modal filters' on Russell Road and Amesbury Road, Moseley, currently being considered by the council, as reported by BirminghamLive. More than 1,500 people have signed a petition opposing the prospect saying that it will have a "damaging impact" on the local community.
Some campaigners however have said Russell Road is a 'dangerous and unpleasant' road 'choked with traffic' during rush hour. Traffic calming measures have long been a contentious issue in both Kings Heath and Moseley - with supporters highlighting the environmental benefits, while opponents argue that they simply divert traffic onto other roads.
During an exchange on social media under the handle @BarbaraNice, Janice - who has worked with Peter Kay on several shows including Phoenix Nights - said Birmingham was beginning to feel "more and more like London" and said she feared the plans would increase noise and pollution in the surrounding area. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, she said: "I know we need less cars but these roads being closed will make other roads even more noisy / increase pollution for residents. Why is it always the posh roads that are being closed - its becoming more [and] more like London ... we need to start making people feel they don't want to drive so much by campaigns on social media on public health grounds through education and changing attitudes."
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BPM MEDIA)A petition opposing the plans states: "Russell Road is an important route between Kings Heath and Balsall Heath and closing it to through vehicle traffic will simply be displace this traffic onto Salisbury Road, Moor Green Lane, Dads Lane and Alcester Road. This will cause particular problems at the Salisbury Road/Alcester Road junction with a significant increase in traffic wanting to turn right from Salisbury Road into Alcester Road."
However, campaign group Better Streets for Birmingham welcomed the plans, the outlet reports. In a statement published earlier this year, the group said: "Russell Road is a dangerous road despite having a 20mph speed limit. It is choked with traffic during rush hour and suffers from horrendous speeding. Drivers adhering to the speed limit are regularly tailgated and overtaken. Cycling on it results in a litany of illegally close passes. There is a clear and obvious need to do something about this and we welcome the Council's focus on making Russell Road safer."
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