Steps to improve Dorchester Street as a connection between Bath Spa Railway Station and the Bus Station for people, buses and taxis have been announced by the Council.
Through traffic will no longer be able to travel along Dorchester Street to achieve this. The proposal will improve the local environment, enhance safety, and make bus services more reliable. It will also make it easier for people on foot to move between the Transport Interchange, Brunel Square and SouthGate shopping precinct.
The proposal will be implemented as an experimental Traffic Regulation Order subject to the views expressed during an informal consultation the Council is holding with local residents, businesses and residents associations in the streets in the Dorchester Street area.
Councillor Roger Symonds (Lib-Dem, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Transport, said, “This proposal represents Bath & North East Somerset Council’s strong intention to reduce traffic in the main shopping and visitor areas in Bath city centre. There are a number of advantages to the scheme. The proposal should make it possible for bus operators to run more punctual services than at present. We will reduce congestion and pollution and enhance the environment for people on foot and who ride bicycles. We hope that people respond to this informal consultation with their views.
“At the same time, we will explore the possibility of making the entire length of Green Park Road available for traffic in both directions so that south bound traffic can go directly over Churchill Bridge, rather than having to go around the Forum block. Traffic lights and signage would also be examined to provide better safety for people on foot.”
Key aspects of the plans the Council is consulting upon include:
- Buses, taxis, and motorcycles will not be banned – bicycles will be allowed through;
- Access will be allowed to Henry Street, Orchard Street, Kingston Road, Railway Place, South Parade, Manvers Street, Pierrepont Street, Bath Spa Station, Manvers Street car park and for vehicles getting to the Police Station;
- The alternative route for through traffic will be via North Parade, Pulteney Road, Claverton Street/ Rossiter Road and Churchill Bridge;
- The Rossiter Road Traffic Management Scheme has been designed with 10% additional capacity to allow for possible increases in traffic resulting from the scheme. New traffic lights will be installed and Rossiter Road will be made two-way.
People have until Thursday 28th June 2012 to respond to the consultation.
