Sting in tail of jobs success; Call over lorries misery.

EXTRA traffic calming measures should be funded by developers looking to put the finishing touches to the redevelopment of Coventry's former Austin Rover site, a city councillor says.

Only three plots remain vacant at what is now the Coventry Business Park, at Canley, and hundreds of jobs have been generated there.

But Cllr Dave Batten (Lab, Westwood) told a planning committee meeting that while he applauded the area's economic regeneration, he wanted to sound a note of caution on behalf of fed-up residents who suffered lorries thundering past their homes.

The problems revolved around the junction of Fletchamstead Highway and Tile Hill Lane and traffic attempting to leave the A45, he said.

Because of the traffic system there, introduced by the Highways Agency, trucks used nearby Ash Avenue, Beech Tree Avenue, Lime Tree Avenue and Jobs Lane as short cuts, according to Cllr Batten.

He was speaking as business park owners Arlington Property Developments asked the planning committee for a further five-year permission to develop leftover land at the site.

Cllr Batten said: "I would like an obligation placed on Arlington to reflect the (heavy goods vehicle) issue so that we can get some safety and traffic calming measures in this particular area."

He praised the development for providing a number of employment opportunities but criticised its design for not being "pedestrian-friendly".

The committee was told that - for the security requirements of firms - walkways could not be provided across the business park.

Remaining land on the site has been earmarked for office, industrial or research use, with the construction of a hotel, housing, restaurants and a car showroom also still possible.

Councillors voted to give Arlington planning permission, allowing them another five years to complete the development.