COUNCIL bosses say there is no simple answer to the congestion in Evesham that is leaving townsfolk increasingly frustrated.

They have released updates on a strategy to address the problem.

Worcestershire County Council, in partnership with Wychavon District Council, is developing the Evesham Town Transport Strategy to address the town’s transport problems.

Councillor Ken Pollock said: “We are very aware of problems with congestion in Evesham, it is likely to increase due to housing developments.

Mr Pollock also gave “an apology for our inadequacy in communicating what is going on”.

Henry Harbord, community transport strategy manager, said: “The problems are a combination of factors that come together in Evesham.

“The town is surrounded by river which makes it tricky to cross in some places and there is a railway which is difficult to cross. Where busy roads meet it is an exacerbation of the problem.”

Mr Harbord noted that the traffic is linked to the growth of the area as “traffic does grow with GDP”.

He said:”In shire towns people tend to travel more, people need to go somewhere for a job or people come into that town for shopping.

"There is no simple answer, which is why we are working on a measured approach.”

Walking and cycling will be encouraged more, with Cllr Pollock highlighting the environmental benefits as well as the relief of traffic.

The council has conducted a traffic survey using a computer based system which has collected data at every road and set of traffic lights in Evesham.

The survey showed that about one-fifth (22 per cent) of journeys in Evesham are four miles long or shorter.

Mr Harbord said that measures could be put in place to help road users think about other means of transport for these shorter journeys.

But the council is stopping short of suggesting everyone taking these journeys can walk or cycle. “People shopping need to go in their car. we are not saying everyone has to convert,” said Mr Harbord.

A number of proposals have been taken into consideration, including some from members of the public.

Proposals deemed worthy of investigation will be put into the computer model for testing before going into action.

One proposal was to open up the one-way system in Mill Street, Chapel Street and Swan Lane, making part of it or all of it a two-way road which Mr Harbord acknowledged would have benefits in alleviating traffic, but would result in further complications.

“The problem is the narrow bends, large vehicles meeting each other would crash.”

Another proposal was for traffic lights that change to quickly between green and red to be updated to improve traffic flow, particularly the crossing opposite Lawrences Bakery.

Parking will also be addressed to see if parking locations can be changed to decrease people driving around looking for spaces.

For updates on the traffic strategy see worcestershire.gov.uk