Cheltenham's one-way system to go in radical shake-up
RADICAL changes to Cheltenham's transport system have been unveiled.
The proposals include making Boots' corner into a 1,000sqm shared space – only open to pedestrians and buses – with motorists directed to different routes to avoid the area.
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An artist's impression showing how the town centre could look if the proposals are introduced
Two-way traffic will be restored on a number of roads, including that in front of Cheltenham Town Hall, as part of a wider bid to make it easier for motorists to get to the town's car parks.
If implemented, the plans will dramatically shake up the way people get to, and through, the town.
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It is hoped the scheme will help reduce pollution and the amount of traffic using the town centre by encouraging more people to walk, cycle or use public transport.
The plans are being led by the Cheltenham Development Task Force and the group's managing director Jeremy Williamson believes they will give the area "focal point of which the town can be proud of".
He said: "Cheltenham has a unique town centre but it doesn't have a heart. These plans will give the town what it is missing.
"There is predicted traffic growth for the town in the coming years and we already have a pollution problem in Cheltenham.
"What we are trying to do is unpick what causes those problems. A lot of it is caused by either traffic standing still or accelerating, or going on unnecessary journeys.
"So we need to encourage people, if they can, not to use their cars for short journeys but cycle, walk, or take a bus. If we can get those people who need to use their vehicles to use the existing network, but in a more efficient way, that should solve the problems."
Traffic in and around Cheltenham is projected to increase by between 34 per cent and 55 per cent by 2035.
Mr Williamson said the shared space plan for Boots' corner would create "a much more pleasant town centre".
As well as the changes to the one-way system in front of the town hall, two-way traffic will be allowed at the eastern end of Albion Street so that motorists can access the Grosvenor-High Street and Beechwood car parks from the east and west.
Oriel Road will be opened to two-way traffic, creating a route from the Promenade to Bath Road.
Currently, motorists approaching the centre along the Promenade have to drive 1,999m and pass through 13 sets of traffic lights in a loop around the town to get to the Regent Arcade car park. Under the new plans, the car park will be accessible via a 173m drive from the Promenade.
Mr Williamson said: "The proposals are essentially tweaking the existing network. There is no suggestion of any major road building programme."
Wayfinder signs to help people navigate the town will also be installed.
Projects to reroute one-way systems have been successful in Coventry and Worcester.
The scheme will be subject to detailed consultation before it can become a reality.
Comments
by Craig84
Friday, September 14 2012, 3:52PM
“I hope Mr Williamson will be strung up outside the Town Hall where nobody will see when this stupid idea finishes the town off once and for all.
1. How many more "focal points" does the town need? The Brewery hasn't been full since it was built.
2. Reducing business rates is the only way to get businesses back into towns with competitive enough prices to beat the internet.
3. This guy is an idiot isn't he? "A lot of it is caused by either traffic standing still or accelerating, or going on unnecessary journeys". Best way to sort this out is not shut the only road through town but to sort the traffic lights out so you don't have to stop at every single one, which is why traffic is sat still and then accelerating, then stopping and accelerating. The unnecessary journeys are because of the one-way streets and the extra distance people have to go.
Internet and retail parks are the way forward.”
by safeandnice
Sunday, September 09 2012, 11:14PM
“Anyone found more info than the flythrough halfway down the page
http://tinyurl.com/8vf6elq
No traffic and no shoppers, only some people milling about amongst concrete balls”
by galopede
Sunday, September 09 2012, 9:01PM
“Doubt it will make any difference to me as I seldom go into town unless I have to. I can't walk that far due to medical problems, can't afford the car parking and can't afford the bus fares.
I'll be sticking to the out of town supermarkets and shopping centres.”
by amy86
Sunday, September 09 2012, 3:54PM
“Urgh this is such a silly idea. Opening 1 way road to 2 way will not help, these roads are 1 way for a reason. They cannot cope with the proposed amount of traffic from the closure of boots corner.
I tell you now, this wont work; it will drive even more people out of the town centre if they cant even get to it in cars.”
by joy1234chelt
Sunday, September 09 2012, 3:45PM
“Make the road network ****** to put people off using the roads. I guess it makes sense.
Haven't they already proposed an almost identical solution (to a seemingly non-existant problem) a couple of years back?
All this will help achieve is move the bottlenecks and stopped traffic away from boots corner and to the prom, fairview, and other areas in the town.”
by tishwash
Sunday, September 09 2012, 2:29PM
“1) Sort the bus prices out ?
2) Don't FORCE people to use alternatives just because you don't want the cars.
3) Don't make it pedestrian only, if you're going to argue the extra distance to get from prom to the Regant arcade then what differences will exist from say the bus station to the Storytellar restaurant?
Also why should busses keep getting priority, this doesn't force the council to sort their roads out as the "busses are running fine".”
by Flat-Broke Films Ltd
Sunday, September 09 2012, 11:33AM
“If Bath Road (Playhouse Theatre to the Strand) and the High Street (Strand to Hewlett Road) were both made "TWO-WAY" that would prevent north and eastboud traffic having to go via St James Square, Ambrose Street and St Georges Street. Otherwise I think the proposals are brilliant.”
by DG9999
Saturday, September 08 2012, 4:33PM
“"Traffic in and around Cheltenham is projected to increase by between 34 per cent and 55 per cent by 2035."
I thought the national plan was to get to get all but absolutely essential traffic out of urban areas as part of the the fight against pollution?”
by GlosYap
Saturday, September 08 2012, 3:18PM
“Nice idea, would be more interesting to see proper action on cars in the future. I would like to see a requirement handed down to developers of new housing or commercial developers that there is a certain amount of off-road parking space provided for all new developments. For new residential properties a minimum of two off-road spaces for each property (underground if necessary). Unfortunately given the governments loosening of s106 i dont see how it will be possible for local authorities to get such cooperation from developers in future?”
by luke10812
Saturday, September 08 2012, 2:57PM
“"Currently, motorists approaching the centre along the Promenade have to drive 1,999m and pass through 13 sets of traffic lights in a loop around the town to get to the Regent Arcade car park"
Is that true though? Drivers are able to turn right beside the Queens Hotel and then down the road the YMCA is on?! Better signage and filter lanes here would deposit the need to drive around the ring road.”