During the public consultation for Centre Park Link (CPL), concerns were raised by residents along and in the vicinity of Gainsborough Road regarding the impact of the new link road on traffic speeds, volumes and routing in this area.
A public consultation was held in January 2020 which asked residents whether they wanted to see traffic calming installed.
Based on the results and the majority view, a decision was made to monitor the impact of CPL once open and re-consult on the provision of traffic calming chicanes.
Although CPL opened in March 2021, the COVID pandemic lockdowns meant that meaningful traffic data could not be collected until recently.
A comparison of pre and post CPL traffic data along Gainsborough Road shows:
- an 8% reduction in traffic flows; and
- an increase in average speed of 2mph from 28mph to 30mph.
With regards to the impact of CPL on the wider network, a 30% reduction in traffic flows has been observed on Chester Road and Wilson Patten Street.
The consultation
Your feedback is requested on whether or not you would like traffic calming chicanes to be implemented along Gainsborough Road or alternatively the funding available is spent on other transport related measures such as pedestrian crossing points and bus stop infrastructure.
Chicane location
Pros
- Can provide a potentially easier place to cross for pedestrians
- Do not significantly impede emergency vehicle access
- Effective at reducing speeds at peak times (see cons also)
- May discourage through traffic
Cons
- Areas of on-street parking substantially reduced
- Generates queueing outside of residential properties
- Increases noise through braking and acceleration
- Potentially increases localised emissions and or pollution
- Increased cost of maintenance to the Council
- Can increase vehicle speeds during periods of low traffic volumes to ‘beat’ oncoming traffic
- Less effective at reducing speeds during periods of low traffic volumes