South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) has today launched no fewer than six public consultations on statutory traffic orders connected with the proposed closure of Highwood Road to general traffic.
The latest consultations follow an earlier one in October last year, the feedback from which the Council is yet to acknowledge – judged by the status shown on the consultation webpage, namely:
“We are currently analysing the received comments …”
Highwood Road is being converted into a single carriageway between the Standing Stone Roundabout (near The Mall) and ‘The Boulevard’ (entrance to Charlton Hayes near the HMC Garage). The section between the Coniston Road junction and ‘The Boulevard’ will be restricted to buses and cycles only. Further details can be found on The Journal’s Highwood Road Linear Park information page.
The consultations that opened today are on a set of proposed measures that include traffic movement restrictions, waiting restrictions, speed limits and bus lanes. They are:
- PT.4319: Proposed Waiting Restrictions
- PT.4320: Proposed Prescribed Movements and Prohibited Right Turn Order
- PT.4321: Proposed Prohibition of Entry Except for Buses
- PT.4322: Proposed Speed Limits
- PT.4326: Proposed Bus Lane
- PT.4331: Proposed Prohibition of Driving Order
The consultations all run until Thursday 29th March 2012.
Documents associated with each of the consultations are available for inspection at Patchway Library during normal opening hours.
Several residents of Patchway have attended recent Town Council meetings to complain about the roadworks and future plans for Highwood Road and local Councillors have made it clear that they oppose the scheme.
The main areas of complaint are the difficulty that Patchway residents will have in accessing The Mall and the fear that Coniston Road will be turned into a ‘rat run’.
Patchway Town Councillors are reported to have asked SGC to review their plans in view of the increased amount of housing expected to be built in the area following the decision to close Filton Airfield but the District Council remains steadfast in its determination to complete the scheme, claiming that there has been extensive consultation with local residents and businesses since the concept of a ‘linear park’ was first conceived in 2002.
Related link: Charlton Hayes (The Journal)
Photo 1: Roadworks on Highwood Road, near the Callicroft Road junction.
Photo 2: Roadworks on Highwood Road, near the Coniston Road junction.
South Gloucestershire Council reports that:
“A total of six (6) comments were received.
One (1) by a member of Patchway Town Council, and five (5) by residents in the Patchway area.
A total of two (2) formal objections were received from local residents.
These objections will be considered by the Council in the near future with a recommendation in how to proceed in this matter.”
The Council’s Executive Decision Schedule is currently indicating that a decision on this matter will be made in June 2012.