Changes To Road System In Cheltenham

20 June 2013, 15:55 | Updated: 12 July 2013, 11:58

Gloucestershire County Council, working at the request of Cheltenham Borough Council, is consulting on proposed changes to the roads within Cheltenham town centre.

The package of changes, known as the Cheltenham Transport Plan, is designed to support improvements to the town centre by making it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport.

The plan will restore two-way traffic to sections of the current one-way system, which will make access to car parks easier from the town outskirts. By reducing traffic in the heart of the town it will be possible to improve the town centre, reduce traffic emissions and create a valuable new public space at Boots Corner. 

The consultation will run until Sunday 1st September 2013 and is the next stage in a process of planning started some years ago. Since then, the two councils have been considering how best to manage town centre traffic and where to find the money to make the changes so that the project can be delivered.

The funds are now available – through government grants and the sale of council land – and work on the project has now moved to the next level of detail.

Questionnaires will be sent to local residents, and anyone will be able to comment online at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/cheltenhamtp

There will also be a number of consultation events, at which staff will be on hand to discuss the proposals and provide more information:

Consultation Events

Tuesday 2nd July: Sainsbury’s at Oakley, Priors Road, 11 am – 3 pm
 
Wednesday 3rd July: St Luke’s Church Hall, St Luke’s Place, 5 pm – 8 pm
 
Thursday 4th July: St. Paul’s Church Hall, Brunswick Street, 3 pm– 7 pm
 
Friday 5th July: The Municipal Offices, The Promenade, 3 pm– 7 pm
 
Saturday 6th July: The Brewery, Henrietta Street, 11 am – 4 pm
 
Monday 8th July: Up Hatherley Library, Hulbert Crescent, 2 pm– 5.30 pm
 
Tuesday 9th July: Christ Church Hall, Malvern Road, 3 pm – 7 pm
 
Wednesday 10th July: Hesters Way Resource Centre, Cassin Drive, 3 pm– 7 pm
 
Thursday 11th July: Regent Arcade, High Street,  11am – 4 pm
 
Friday 12th July: Charlton Kings Library, Church Street, 3 pm – 7 pm

Once the public have expressed their opinions and the results have been analysed, the two councils will decide if any changes are needed before agreeing a final version of the plan. The final plan will then be subject to a formal traffic order consultation prior to a decision by the county council, which is responsible for the town’s roads, probably in the autumn of 2013. 

Cllr Will Windsor-Clive, cabinet member for fire, planning and infrastructure, said:

“This plan involves significant changes to roads and traffic flow in Cheltenham town centre. It’s really important that local residents, visitors and commuters look at the proposals and give us their view.”

Cllr Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for built environment at Cheltenham Borough Council, said:

"These traffic proposals are a key part of the Cheltenham Development Task Force plan to reduce traffic in Cheltenham town centre. They will enable improvements to Boots Corner to take place that will result in it becoming a high quality public open space. The plans are, however, not set in stone and I would urge everyone with an interest in the future of the town centre to have their say during the consultation process."

Further information call 08000 514 514.