Traffic Plans Go On Show

By John Stratford, 1st February 2012, 11:27

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• Northamptonshire County Council

Plans to improve traffic flows in the centre of Northampton have gone on show.

Northamptonshire County Council are proposing several changes to the road network in the Bridge Street, Drapery and St John Street area as part of a wider project to regenerate the town.

They've been looking at the plans for several months.  The changes are designed to the new bus interchange and new student accommodation.

As temporary traffic arrangements introduced following the fire at the former Angel Hotel in Bridge Street on 2 January 2012 act in a similar way to what is proposed, now was thought to be an ideal time to showcase the new layout.

Cllr Andre Gonzalez De Savage from the County Council said: "There’s a great deal planned for the town centre over the next few years so it’s important that we get the traffic flows right to make sure everything works together.

“What we’re proposing will be of a very high design quality and will greatly enhance the appearance of the town, fitting in with the marvellous historic buildings in the area.

"It’s important that we showcase these proposals to make sure everyone is comfortable with what we’re planning and that we can fully explain how it will all work."

The proposals include:

*    Widening footways in Bridge Street to benefit daytime shoppers and creating a pinch point where the road narrows to one lane. All traffic will be able to travel southbound (down the hill), while only buses will be allowed to travel in the opposite direction on a priority basis.

*    A new signal-controlled pedestrian crossing at the southern end of Bridge Street will replace the two existing signal controlled junctions at the Commercial Street and St Johns Street. It is envisaged that traffic flows on the 'Plough gyratory' will be improved.

*    St Giles Square to open as a one-way street to all traffic (including buses and taxis), heading westwards into George Row. Cyclists will still be able to travel eastwards.

*    Vehicles would be able to travel along Gold Street towards All Saints Church and Drapery and Bridge Street.

The exhibition will be on display until 10 February 2012 at Sessions House Reception, County Hall, Northampton.