Derby Raynesway traffic problems resurface

Raynesway tip in Derby. Image by Derbyshire Live. Description: GV General view of Household Waste Recycling Centre, Direct Incineration Plant, Raynesway, Derby DE21 7BA Derby Tip, Derby Recycling Centre

Developers have stated a new retail park in Derby will not cause severe traffic problems amid fresh concerns of “ridiculous” congestion in the area during weekends.

Plans were submitted to Derby City Council last month for a shopping and food site on a vacant green area at Raynesway.

Jack Lunn Properties Ltd is seeking planning permission to build two new drive-through units – including a restaurant and coffee store – and a terrace of retail units.

The retail park would be situated next to Belmore Way close to the Lidl supermarket, should it get the go-ahead.

A traffic investigation in the surrounding area was carried out by developers to determine if there would be any highways impacts.

The transport assessment states the development is anticipated to generate 84 two-way trips in the morning peak hour and 177 two-way trips in the afternoon peak hour.

It concluded there would be no “severe impact” on the roads.

The report said: “The operational assessments demonstrate that the local highway network has sufficient capacity to accommodate the predicted traffic generation associated with the traffic flows generated by the proposed development.

“This TA has demonstrated that the traffic associated with the development proposals can be accommodated on surrounding highway network without having a severe impact.”

But concerns over weekend traffic around the area have resurfaced recently.

A photograph showing traffic queues at the Raynesway Household Waste and Recycling Centre prompted dozens of responses on social media.

The picture appeared to have been taken on a Sunday when the tip is available to households without needing a booking slot.

Last year Derby City Council decided to permanently remove its booking system on a Sunday in a bid to make it more accessible and reduce fly-tipping.

Leaders said at the time there was “clear demand” for no-booking Sundays.

However, busy queues have been reported, with concerns raised that the gridlock was causing trade problems for the nearby Blue Jay pub.

Responding to the photograph, Derby residents on Facebook said the tip queues on Sunday were a regular occurrence.

One person said: “[It’s] so much better with the booking system and they’re open until 6pm every day. Why bother on a Sunday unless you really need to?”

Another said: “It’ll be like all day. Absolutely ridiculous. I avoid that area on a Sunday. They need to change it to booking on a Sunday like the rest of the week and it will stop all that.”