Transport plan moves to next stage

The CTP involves making changes to the road layout in Cheltenham to improve the town centre environment, boost the local economy and better manage traffic and is part of the borough council’s vision for the town. It is one of a number of projects to bring benefits to both local businesses and residents.

Work on the CTP started in April 2016, and is being delivered over a number of phases to help monitor any benefits or additional effects of the scheme.

As the local highways authority, Gloucestershire County Council have been delivering the vision on behalf of the borough council, and has so far seen changes made to Albion Street and Imperial Square, with work due to start on Phase 3 in Royal Well Road in on 15 January 2018 early next year.

This next stage of the CTP will focus on changing the layout of Royal Well Road. The work will include three new islands, to guide vehicles into moving through the junction correctly and use new lane designations, and there will be new road markings and signage showing the changes.

These changes will make the best use of the existing road and prepare this stretch of road for any future trial closure of Boots Corner. Construction of Phase 3 is currently due to start on 15 January 2018.

During planning of Phase 3, the county council has been looking at the potential options for phase 4, the trial closure of Boots Corner. By designing the phases at the same time, it ensures that they will work once completed.

Phase 3 will be monitored once completed, and if everything goes as planned the trial closure of Boots Corner will be carried out under an experimental traffic regulation order (TRO) later in the year.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways and flood at Gloucestershire County Council said: “This is an ambitious scheme to help improve Cheltenham town centre and we are supporting Cheltenham Borough Council’s vision.

“This phase of work won’t take as long as others, and we expect the work to be completed in two or three weeks.

“I’d like to thank road users, local residents and businesses in advance for their patience during this work, we will of course make every effort to minimise the inconvenience.”

Cllr Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety at Cheltenham Borough Council said: “This is the next stage in implementing the Cheltenham Transport Plan, which is improving the environment of Cheltenham town centre.

Following on from the successful implementation of both phases one and two, I am confident that this latest stage will be equally successful.”

More information can be found at: www.cheltenham.gov.uk/transport-plan and www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/cheltenhamtp

Media enquiries on the highways works being carried out for the Cheltenham Transport Plan should be made to Gloucestershire County Council, 01452 427550, email [email protected]

Notes to editors:

Gloucestershire County Council (GCC), as local highways authority, approved the new road layout in July 2015 and a phased approach to the changes began in April 2016:

Phase 1         Albion Street – completed

Phase 2         The northern side of Imperial Square (outside the town hall) – completed

Phase 3         Royal Well Road: start set for January 2018

Phase 4         Boots Corner trial closure – to follow in June 2018, dependent upon successful delivery of Phase 3

The works are being carried out by Amey, GCC’s highways contractor.

Experimental traffic regulation orders (TROs) are used in situations that need monitoring and reviewing. They usually last no more than eighteen months before they are abandoned, amended or made permanent.

Royal Well Road changes include:

• New pedestrian island – to provide an improved crossing point for pedestrians, to help calm traffic and to help guide vehicles in to using new lane designations.
• New over-run island – to guide vehicles into using the correct lane and assist in improving vehicular movements through the junction.
• Road marking changes - to guide vehicles into using the appropriate lane and assist in improving vehicular movements through the area.
• New directional signage - to guide vehicles into using the appropriate lane and assist in improving vehicular movements through the area.

Clarence Parade (at its junction with Royal Well Road) changes include:

• New lane barrier island – to guide vehicles into moving through the junction correctly, improving vehicular movements through the junction.
• New directional signage - to guide vehicles into using the appropriate lane and assist in improving vehicular movements through the area.