MOTORISTS have slammed the decision to paint double yellow lines along Slutchers Lane claiming it will cause further congestion around the town centre.

It is estimated around 200 to 300 commuters have been parking on the road to get to work on Centre Park or in the town centre and will now be forced to join thousands of cars around Bridge Foot roundabout.

Tony Haslam, who works on Centre Park, said the council replied to his tweet querying the decision saying it was due to 'safety concerns' but ignored further questions from frustrated motorists.

He added: "Yes cars park down there but there is still more than enough room to get lorries and cars through as most people park on the kerbs.

"It is estimated more than 4,000 cars use the Centre Park bridge to access the business park, which in itself is a nightmare at the best of times, and the only other entrance to the park near the Village Hotel is blocked with a bollard, forcing people to use Bridge Foot to get to that business park.

"This decision has been made with no thought for how it will impact traffic in the town.

"It is already practically at a standstill so how is adding more traffic to this route alleviating the problem of a town whose roads can't handle the traffic that currently passes through?"

The 31 year old says it can take him more than an hour to get from his home in Great Sankey to work due to traffic whereas he could previously get to his job in Manchester city centre within 40 minutes.

He added: "I don't use public transport due to the ever increasing costs and the lack of reliability to get to work on time.

"To take over an hour to cover approximately three to four miles is a joke.

"I'm aware there are plans in place to open another road from Slutchers Lane to Chester Road however this isn't due for completion until 2018, so why block these roads now?

"The last thing Bridge Foot needs is more traffic and common sense needs to prevail here including removing the double yellow lines, allow parking permits for people who work on the business park, apply double yellows to one side of the road and remove the bollard allowing access to the park from Slutchers Lane."

It is not the first time changes have made been made to town centre roads without warning or consultation.

In 2012 lane changes around the Bridge Foot roundabout caused hour long queues and misery for motorists before pressure from the Warrington Guardian saw the council alter the road markings.

A council spokesman said: “The council’s traffic committee approved the decision to add double yellow lines to Slutchers Lane on September 15 in response to safety concerns.

“Double parked cars along the road were restricting visibility and parking on the footway was forcing pedestrians into the carriageway.

“The impact on the surrounding roads was considered and the double yellow lines will improve road safety for pedestrians and road users.

“The bollard near the Village Hotel will be reviewed as part of the Centre Park Link proposals, subject to consultation later in the year.”