Sign of the times Fresh changes to road system called ‘confusing’
MOTORISTS driving through the heart of Cheltenham will soon have to get used to another new road system.
And it already seems that it could cause confusion in the minds of some drivers.
Changes to the area around Boots Corner in the town centre are being made by Gloucestershire County Council, on behalf of Cheltenham Borough Council.
It represents the latest twist in the authority’s continuing controversial trial ban for general traffic using Boots Corner.
It was first introduced in June last year, to make the area more pedestrianfriendly, and is now subject to a further six-month trial period.
Earlier this year, both the county and borough councils decided to extend the pilot until December 2019, with the changes.
Following complaints from some people, especially businesses close to Boots Corner who had access issues, the road layout is being changed for the next stage of the trial.
Council workers have been putting down new road markings ready for the changes to take effect from June 3.
But the authorities have come under fire, with some people saying there are no easy-to-spot signs saying when the new system will become operational.
One St George’s Place resident said: “They have put up some red notices, warning of the new road layout, but they don’t say when it will take effect from.
“It’s also now unclear whether you can drive across Clarence Street to get from the northern side of St George’s Place to the southern side - because there is a new curved white line area marked on the road at that point.”
Terry Howard, founder of Cheltenham Guardians, tweeted his concerns.
He said: “I thought I had the ability to conquer most challenges, then last night I was faced with phase 4 of Boots Corner, or at least some of it?
“It’s not due to launch until June yet road markings are down and ambigu
ous and contradictory?”
The start of the trial area will be moved from the junction of Royal Well Road and Crescent Terrace to a point in Clarence Street between Post Office Lane and Imperial Circus.
This will mean Clarence Parade and the western end of Clarence Street will be opened to all vehicles with two-way traffic flow.
This will be the first time that twoway traffic has been allowed on these streets for several decades.
The Pittville Street to North Street corridor will be covered by a 24-hour prohibition of driving order, with exemptions for buses, taxis and private hire vehicles with service access between 6pm and 10am.
Included in the changes will be additional blue badge parking bays in Winchcombe Street, immediately north of the High Street, and a no-waiting at any time restriction in Post Office Lane. Cheltenham Borough Council referred the Gloucestershire Echo to Gloucestershire County Council for comment.
A spokesperson from Gloucestershire County Council, said, “Our highways crews are on site this week working on changes to the road layout agreed by Cheltenham Borough Council earlier this year as part of the ongoing Boots Corner trial.
“The legal traffic order amendments underpinning these works come in to force on June 3.
“As with any road works, drivers should observe all signs and traffic signals until the works are complete and we thank drivers for their patience.”