There’s still time to have your say on Cheltenham town centre plans

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 have already been sent to town centre residents, and anyone can comment online.

Ten consultation events were held in July with staff on hand to discuss the proposals and provide more information.  A total of about 500 people attended these events.

Two additional consultation events have now been arranged to provide a further opportunity for the public to find out more and take part in the consultation.

The events are at The Promenade (outside Waterstone’s) on Wednesday 14th August and Regent Arcade (outside BHS) on Saturday 17th August. Both events will run from 11am to 3pm.

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. We’re into the final month of the consultation now and it’s really important that local residents, visitors and commuters look at the proposals and give us their view.

"I’m pleased that we’ve already received about 1,000 responses to the consultation, but it would be great if we could get many more."

Cllr Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for built environment at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: "We've had an encouraging response to the consultation so far. We're keen that everyone has the opportunity to have their say on the future of Cheltenham's town centre and would urge residents, visitors, businesses and commuters to take part."

Further information can be found on Gloucestershire County Council's website or by calling 08000 514 514.

Additional Consultation Events: 
- The Promenade (outside Waterstone’s), Wednesday 14th August, 11:00am – 3:00pm
- Regent Arcade (outside BHS), Saturday 17th August, 11:00am – 3:00pm
 
Issued by: Keith Coles, Gloucestershire County Council media team, 01452 425391