A request for a deputation to be received by the minister to hear the concerns of Short Heath residents about having Emergency Refuge Areas (ERA’s) foisted on them by the Highways Agency has been sent to the local MP reports Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires.

The move has been taken following the refusal of the Highways Agency to budge on the issue of siting ERA’s close to residential property in plans for four-lane running on the M6 between J8 and J10a.

“Recent talks with the Highways Agency have seen them prepared to look at options to reduce the impact of ERA’s both in the method of construction and once constructed. But on the issue of where the ERA’s are sited the Agency remains totally inflexible” said Ian.

“They say that their hands are tied and that the only person who can change things is the minister himself. Hence the need for a deputation” concluded Ian.