Residents of Bradford on Avon are being asked for their ‘final thoughts’ on the three options for a new traffic scheme before the town council votes on the issue.
The move follows a £50,000 survey by traffic consultants AtkinsRéalis on behalf of Wiltshire Council to which the town council contributed two-thirds (£33,350) of the cost.
At the full council meeting on Tuesday, September 24, at St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon councillors will vote to ask Wiltshire Council to design a scheme to meet their requirements.
The town’s mayor, Cllr Jack Vittles said: “We will be making a key decision at this meeting, and as we reach the end of this stage of our traffic project, I'd encourage residents to make their final comments.
“Through continued consultation, residents have been able to have their say and this has been incredibly useful for all councillors when considering what steps we should take next.
“The town council looks forward to working closely with Wiltshire Council in the design phase to address our key priorities, particularly improving pedestrian safety in the town centre.”
AtkinsRéalis modelled three different traffic schemes – of which Options A and C have attracted the most interest.
Both Options A and C included significant pavement widening in the town centre and a provision for the bus service (a so-called bus gate).
Option A involves a one-way system on Silver Street and Market Street like the one used during the Covid pandemic.
Option B would mean installing road narrowing 'pinch points', two in Market Street and one in Silver Street.
Option C involves a one-way on Silver Street and priority for uphill traffic on Market Street.
Residents were then asked for their opinions of the traffic study and AtkinsRéalis recommended Option C.
The council said: “More than half of the people who responded (58 per cent) told us they believed that Option C was unsuitable for the town.
“Over 400 people said they wanted a traffic scheme more like the one-way system in place during the pandemic. Others also described their uncertainty and anxiety about the idea of a bus gate.
Wiltshire Council says it is willing to design and cost a traffic scheme based on the town council’s decision about what to do next. It will also consider a scheme without a bus gate.
The deadline to submit comments is Monday, September 16
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