Future of road plans under the spotlight

8:00am Thursday 15th May 2008

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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.