Quantcast
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 4591

November launch date for new Bath city centre bus gate

Plans to introduce another bus gate in Bath city centre to manage traffic flow will be implemented in November.

Bath and North East Somerset Council has confirmed that new measures in Dorchester Street, which will stop motorists driving from St James's Parade towards Manvers Street, will be going ahead.

The restrictions will be in place on the eastbound carriageway only, and will be in place between 10am and 6pm seven days a week.

Critics argue that the move will simply displace traffic onto nearby roads, including an extra 160 vehicles an hour on Rossiter Road, in Widcombe, and 130 vehicles an hour on North Parade.

Opposition councillors have attempted to halt the bus gate, but the Liberal Democrat-run local authority is keen to push ahead.

Councillor Anthony Clarke (Con, Lansdown) said: "These sorts of piecemeal traffic schemes won't do anything to alleviate Bath's traffic problems.

"In fact, done in isolation, road closures like this could easily make things worse.

"This is why Conservatives have been pressing the council for the past two years on the need for a proper transport strategy."

He added: "Many residents clearly remain very concerned about the potential impact of the Dorchester Street bus gate on nearby roads.

"The council has failed to persuade people of why it's needed or what it's hoping to achieve, leaving many to believe it is simply designed as another revenue-raising cash cow for the council."

The existing bus gates, in Northgate Street and on Pulteney Bridge, are controversial, with motorists complaining that signs have not been clear enough.

Councillor Caroline Roberts, the council's cabinet member for transport, said plans for the Dorchester Street bus gate were moving ahead as planned.

She said: "Work has started on preparing the temporary traffic regulation order.

"Following this, the manufacture and delivery of new signs and arranging site works, it is anticipated that the restriction will be implemented in November."

Meanwhile, the target completion date for the long-awaited Rossiter Road traffic project has been pushed back to November next year.

Mrs Roberts said: "Officers are currently working on the detailed design of the scheme.

"The indicative programme assumes a 20-week construction period starting on site in July 2014 and completing in November 2014.

"The final programme, including any utility service diversions, will be agreed with the appointed contractor as part of the normal tender process."

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
November launch date for new Bath city centre bus gate


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 4591

Trending Articles