Today's most viewed
Future of road plans under the spotlight
MAJOR changes to road systems and bus routes in Dursley could revolutionise the town if councillors agree how to go forward with the plans.
Local councillors have been looking at ways to relieve the town's congestion and create more parking for when the new Sainsbury's supermarket is built.
One of the most urgent matters is to find a new route through Dursley for buses that need to turn around, as the current bus station will be used as a temporary car park.
At a town council meeting last week councillors rejected all three options given by Stroud District Council for a bus turning route.
The options were for buses to turn around the market place, or for buses to go down pedestianised Parsonage Street and back up Castle Street, or for them to go down Long Street and back up Lister Street - the new road going through the new Crest Nicholson estate.
Cllr Veronica Harding said: "It is not acceptable for buses to turn round the market place, it isn't safe. Especially when Highfields Post Office closes and elderly people are trying to get to the main post office."
Cllr Dennis Andrewartha, district and county councillor for Dursley, added: "There are several problems with the Long Street option including the congestion on the road - it doesn't look like buses will get down there.
"I proposed the buses could go up to the poets estate (in Highfields) like the other Stagecoach buses, because it will take the same amount of time as trying to get down Long Street.
"But the buses are only one of many things that need to be done."
The town council, along with the district and county council, is looking at a series of proposals for major changes in road systems around Dursley.
These include a one-way system in Long Street, a new junction at Uley Road, widening the pavement at the pinch point' in Silver Street and changing the traffic lights at the May Lane/Castle Street junction into a roundabout.
Cllr Andrewartha said: "We have to recognise that if Dursley is to have a vibrant economy and vibrant shopping centre people need to be able to move around freely.
"There is going to be another meeting about the traffic and bus problems which will hopefully mean we can move forward and have a comfortable town for people to visit, with adequate parking and without gridlock."
The council is planning to present the highways scheme as a package to the public for consultation when it is complete.
8:00am Thursday 15th May 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: AJ, Stinchcombe on 9:27pm Sat 17 May 08
There should never have been traffic lights installed at the May lane/Castle street location,a roundabout was always the best option,once again money has been wasted.
There should never have been traffic lights installed at the May lane/Castle street location,a roundabout was always the best option,once again money has been wasted.
Posted by: JW, Dursley on 10:45pm Sat 17 May 08
Silver Street should be one way, going into town. Bull Pitch Should be one way too, also going into town. This would allow wider safer pavements and on street parking, to help replace those lost parking spaces, respectively.
Silver Street should be one way, going into town. Bull Pitch Should be one way too, also going into town. This would allow wider safer pavements and on street parking, to help replace those lost parking spaces, respectively.
Posted by: Jamie MacLellan, Dursley on 5:15am Mon 19 May 08
Jw.
Why should both the roads you mention be one way? the statistics from the highways authority state that the has been no accidents at the so say pinch point on silver street. The only accidents on this road have been due to neglegance. I do take your point regarding parking, but by doing what you suggest you will increase the traffic flow through littlecombe and also Bymacks. As insufficiant parking has been provided there, this will bring misery and disaray to already annoyed residants. Every councillor you speak to, will tell you that its all a mess. But as per normal forward thinking is a traight not heard of it would seen by certain council planning officers and suchlike.[quote]quote[/quote]
Jw.
Why should both the roads you mention be one way? the statistics from the highways authority state that the has been no accidents at the so say pinch point on silver street. The only accidents on this road have been due to neglegance. I do take your point regarding parking, but by doing what you suggest you will increase the traffic flow through littlecombe and also Bymacks. As insufficiant parking has been provided there, this will bring misery and disaray to already annoyed residants. Every councillor you speak to, will tell you that its all a mess. But as per normal forward thinking is a traight not heard of it would seen by certain council planning officers and suchlike.
quote
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
