Margaret Way Rat Running Reduction

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Decision Made

The Council has, through its governance procedures, made a decision to proceed with a rat running reduction programme on Margaret Way. Residents overall supported a measure to reduce rat running, however key details of the scheme have been amended after reviewing the consultation feedback and listening to residents views. The changes to the proposals are as follows:

  • The proposed restriction point is now on the Eastern junction of Margaret Way, vehicles such as delivery vehicles and any other vehicles can enter Margaret Way but from the Western point.
  • There will be a process to exempt residents from the restriction to allow for access to their road and not add to congestion on Redbridge Lane East.
  • Implementing additional double yellow lines for safety.

You can read the report and appendices here including the amended design.


The Council is consulting on a proposal to address rat running on Margaret Way – where excessive numbers of vehicles are cutting through a residential road to avoid traffic on nearby roads. The Council has received requests from local councillors to consider this scheme in response to resident concerns about vehicles using Margaret Way to cut through onto Redbridge Lane East.

The main objective of the proposed scheme is to make this area safer for all road users and reduce congestion and rat running through Margaret Way. The Council has analysed the most recent data available from 2024showing the traffic flow levels and speeds on Margaret Way (collected via a traffic counter between 8 to 14 June 2024).

Location of Counter

Average Weekday Daily Flow

AM Peak

(7-8am) Westbound (towards Redbridge Roundabout) Flow

Majority of Vehicle Speeds Eastbound

Majority of Vehicle Speeds Westbound

Outside 29

306

31

21.6 mph

23 mph

Outside 46-48

322

30

18.5 mph

20.1 mph


The Council is proposing to make a no exit onto Redbridge Lane East on the western side of Margaret Way to prevent rat running and is seeking the views of residents on their feedback. The western section of the road will have vehicle prohibition signage, with signage on Redbridge Lane East at the entrance to Margaret Way stating no-through road. Should the scheme move forward, the restriction will be monitored and if necessary, enforced by ANPR cameras which can issue penalty charge notices with exemptions for emergency services and waste vehicles.

This consultation is a public consultation seeking the views of residents in the area on the proposals to inform what the Council does next. Should the consultation results indicate that there is support for a rat running reduction scheme the Council will then move to undertake detailed design and a statutory consultation, providing another opportunity to input on the proposals before they are adopted. A map of the proposals including relevant signage is attached on the next page.

Decision Made

The Council has, through its governance procedures, made a decision to proceed with a rat running reduction programme on Margaret Way. Residents overall supported a measure to reduce rat running, however key details of the scheme have been amended after reviewing the consultation feedback and listening to residents views. The changes to the proposals are as follows:

  • The proposed restriction point is now on the Eastern junction of Margaret Way, vehicles such as delivery vehicles and any other vehicles can enter Margaret Way but from the Western point.
  • There will be a process to exempt residents from the restriction to allow for access to their road and not add to congestion on Redbridge Lane East.
  • Implementing additional double yellow lines for safety.

You can read the report and appendices here including the amended design.


The Council is consulting on a proposal to address rat running on Margaret Way – where excessive numbers of vehicles are cutting through a residential road to avoid traffic on nearby roads. The Council has received requests from local councillors to consider this scheme in response to resident concerns about vehicles using Margaret Way to cut through onto Redbridge Lane East.

The main objective of the proposed scheme is to make this area safer for all road users and reduce congestion and rat running through Margaret Way. The Council has analysed the most recent data available from 2024showing the traffic flow levels and speeds on Margaret Way (collected via a traffic counter between 8 to 14 June 2024).

Location of Counter

Average Weekday Daily Flow

AM Peak

(7-8am) Westbound (towards Redbridge Roundabout) Flow

Majority of Vehicle Speeds Eastbound

Majority of Vehicle Speeds Westbound

Outside 29

306

31

21.6 mph

23 mph

Outside 46-48

322

30

18.5 mph

20.1 mph


The Council is proposing to make a no exit onto Redbridge Lane East on the western side of Margaret Way to prevent rat running and is seeking the views of residents on their feedback. The western section of the road will have vehicle prohibition signage, with signage on Redbridge Lane East at the entrance to Margaret Way stating no-through road. Should the scheme move forward, the restriction will be monitored and if necessary, enforced by ANPR cameras which can issue penalty charge notices with exemptions for emergency services and waste vehicles.

This consultation is a public consultation seeking the views of residents in the area on the proposals to inform what the Council does next. Should the consultation results indicate that there is support for a rat running reduction scheme the Council will then move to undertake detailed design and a statutory consultation, providing another opportunity to input on the proposals before they are adopted. A map of the proposals including relevant signage is attached on the next page.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Your feedback is important to us. We want to know your views about the proposed road safety improvements in your area.  

    Please note, we will only accept one completed questionnaire per household. In the event of multiple submissions from the same postal address, only the most recent will be accepted. We are also not able to respond to all comments made, however, they will be considered when making our recommendations. 

    The Council will consider the consultation results and decide on how to proceed with the proposals - we will advise you of the outcome.

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Page last updated: 04 Sep 2025, 03:00 PM