RESIDENTS have vowed to continue their fight to stop “rat runners” driving past their homes after city transport boss Steve Galloway rejected their pleas for help.

Traffic through Westminster Road and The Avenue, Clifton, has nearly doubled since the introduction of a new lane system at the Water End junction to help cyclists.

Residents of the two streets say nearly 90 per cent of the extra traffic is vehicles using their roads as a “rat-run” to avoid the junction. They pleaded with the executive member to close off their roads to through traffic.

But Coun Galloway decided against it at a decision meeting after reading a report by council officers.

“As we have learned on previous occasions, the volume of vehicles now using Westminster Road is less than on many other streets where residents complain about ‘rat running,’” he said.

The report said installing a “point closure” at the Westminster Road/Water End junction would increase traffic flows on Clifton and Water End, the length of queues at the traffic lights and delays to traffic. It could also increase delays on the Park and Ride service which uses the junction.

The Avenue would see a doubling in traffic including school traffic. Jim Begley, who lives on Westminster Road, said after the meeting: “This is in conflict with the residents’ views because at all meetings and in the survey conducted by the council we have wanted point closure. Our opinions have been ignored and dealt with in a roughshod manner.

“The consultation process has been like an episode from ‘Yes Minister’.”

Several of his neighbours were also at the meeting and were dismayed by the decision.