The measures which have been made permanent are:
- Scotland Road bus gate
- Pedestrian / cycle crossing improvements at Bridgefoot Island
- Bold Street (south)
- Academy Way Part 1
Scotland Road
The Scotland Road bus gate was installed in winter 2021. The bus gate restricts access to buses, taxis and cyclists only travelling along Scotland Road. Access is maintained to all properties from Winwick Street, Buttermarket Street and Academy Street.
Pedestrian / Cycle Crossing Improvements at Bridgefoot
In winter 2021, the Chester Road Cycleway scheme was completed. It provides an improved pedestrian and cycle link along Chester Road between Centre Park Link Road and Lower Bridge Street.
An upgraded crossing at Bridgefoot supports the Chester Road Cycleway scheme by providing more space for pedestrians and cyclists to wait when crossing Wilson Patten Street. The improved crossing allows a safer, more direct facility for pedestrians and cyclists.
Bold Street (South)
At the time of the December 2020 consultation, a one-way system was in place along Bold Street which allowed vehicles to travel northbound only. The consultation identified a number of concerns regarding the impact of the proposals on access to the Cultural Quarter, around the Museum and Palmyra Square. We listened to the concerns raised, and the measures around Bold Street were simplified. The Bold Street (south) scheme was reverted back to one-way southbound only, as was in place pre-covid, but with the addition of a northbound contra-flow cycle lane. The temporary measures on St Austins Lane (one-way and cycle lanes) were also removed.
Monitoring has since been undertaken using ANPR surveys, which suggests that the current arrangement on Bold Street is working well and the amount of through traffic is relatively slight. As such, no further changes are proposed to Bold Street (South).
Academy Way (Part 1)
The scheme on Academy Way restricts vehicle movements between Moulders Lane and Bridge Street. The eastbound carriageway forms a bus lane allowing access for buses, taxis and cycles only. The westbound carriageway has been converted into a cycle lane which enables cyclists to travel in both directions.
To facilitate service access to the units on Academy Way, a loading bay has been created on Moulders Lane. The basic scheme on Academy Way has been implemented on a permanent basis under previous traffic regulation orders approved pre-Covid.
As part of ongoing monitoring, surveys identified that there were a number of vehicles either contravening the bus lane restrictions or travelling westbound along Academy Way on the wrong side of the road. To address those contravening the westbound movement, a series of additional measures have been installed to improve the street scape and provide a more permanent improvement scheme. This includes a series of planters to prevent vehicle access westbound. The contravention of the eastbound movement is currently being monitored.
However, to take full advantage of the restriction on motor traffic, further streetscape improvements and a review of the loading facilities on Moulders Lane are proposed.