TIME is running out for residents to have their say on Warrington Council’s “active travel” plan which includes making controversial town centre highway changes permanent.
Warrington’s active travel consultation ends on 24 December – so make sure you share you views on the council’s plans to reduce town centre traffic and get more people walking and cycling.
The consultation, launched in November, gives people the chance to have their say on a number of schemes aimed at removing through traffic from the town centre and increasing active travel.
The council made changes to the town centre’s road layout on a temporary basis earlier this year, using funding from the government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund [EATF].
Now, the council is proposing to make a number of these schemes – which have been successful at reducing through traffic, reducing delays to bus services and promoting active travel – permanent.
By getting involved in the consultation, you can let the council know what you think about the plans and help shape the future of active travel in the heart of Warrington.
The proposed permanent changes – which would be funded using a second tranche of the Active Travel Fund, recently awarded by the government – are:
•Removing the restriction near the bus interchange on Winwick Street and instead, installing a bus gate along Scotland Road between the junctions with Cockhedge Way and the Cockhedge Retail Park car park. The bus gate would allow access for buses, taxis and cyclists in both directions, but prohibit access for other vehicles
•Reversal of the one way system on Bold Street, with cycle flow permitted in the opposite direction
•No vehicle access (except for cyclists) from Barbauld Street onto Wilson Patten Street
•Left turn not permitted (except for cyclists) from Winmarleigh Street to Sankey Street
•Restrictions on Academy Way to remove westbound through traffic, except cycles, and the creation of a loading bay on Moulders Lane
Warrington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for highways, transportation and public realm, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: “Our town centre active travel plans meet the objectives of Warrington’s Fourth Local Transport plan, which aims to make our town a thriving, attractive, place, reduce car dependency and make walking and cycling easier.
“The proposals, while retaining vehicular access into the town centre, would help create an environment which is more user-friendly for cyclists, pedestrians and people with disabilities.
“These are important changes for our town centre, so we are keen to get as many views as possible. Please get involved in the consultation and have your say.”
There are a number of ways you can share your views:
•If you have general comments you would like to make, or would like further information on the proposals, please email [email protected] – the council will be collating the feedback and documenting the various themes of people’s responses, both positive and negative
•If you want to formally support or object to the legal orders out for consultation, you should do so via the Traffic Regulation Orders webpage warrington.gov.uk/permanent-traffic-regulation-orders
• You can also request a phone call with a council officer by emailing [email protected], providing your contact details and the nature of your enquiry
The active travel consultation ends on Thursday 24 December. For more information on the plans, please visit warrington.gov.uk/active-travel-consultation
1 Comment
My comments to those in charge of the above:
Having been a near-daily visitor to Warrington Town Centre for business and recreational purposes for more than 40 years, I have to say the latest proposals to make the temporary COVID-19 related traffic measures permanent, is possibly the most ill-conceived highways proposal I have ever witnessed since the creation of the Bridge Foot chaos, which has now become worse, making three lanes merge into two.
While I totally understand the need to make the town centre more residential friendly, the current temporary system actually creates more rat runs as bemused and confused motorists attempt to navigate their way through a confusing maze.
I know the town centre like the back of my hand and now struggle to find a way through.
The proposed closure to through traffic on Winwick Street near Central Station is an absolute nightmare for people dropping passengers outside the station. This was previously a quick route across town for those who know the area, providing easy access to the main town centre car park. Now this route has been cut off, it is going to have a damaging impact for town centre retailers, as no casual shopper is going to turn around and go around the “system” to get back into town – particularly when it involves well-known bottle necks on Froghall Lane and the Cockhedge roundabout.
Travelling along Wilson Patten Street has never been easy and obviously, the ongoing roadworks have made the situation a lot worse. I remain to be convinced that the new road coming out at Slutchers Lane will improve things but at the very least we should wait to see the impact BEFORE making any temporary changes permanent.
Yesterday I had the “pleasure” of travelling into the town centre and almost lost the will to live trying to get back out, surrounded by numerous other motorists struggling to find a way through.
Before making anything permanent decision could I please invite you all to get in your cars and make this journey.
Drive along Wilson Patten Street and turn into Winmarleigh Street and make a right turn into Museum Street to access a business or to visit the library. As you come to the end of Museum Street please now tell me how you get out of the town centre without making a u-turn?
I “enjoyed” this experience with many other frustrated and confused motorists yesterday.
I work with many small businesses in the town centre and have yet to meet one owner who believes the new measures will improve things – all fearing they will make things worse.
Please listen to the people before making a decision which will make life a misery for many who rely on people having easy access to the town centre to carry out their business.
I look forward to your response and hopefully adopting some common sense and please don’t just spend money because you have got to – spend it wisely.