New South Glos Council traffic consultation for Thornbury High Street

The High Street has been closed to traffic for three years after it was first shut by South Gloucestershire Council during the pandemic.

Its £4.6 million project, which was revealed earlier this year, includes reducing through-traffic, removing parking bays, widening pathways, increasing cycle parking, adding seating and building new planters.

The scheme has previously been described as 'expensive' and 'disruptive' by community leaders and business owners.

Construction work started in March this year and is expected to last until spring 2024.

As part of the project, the council has now launched a new consultation about traffic restrictions on the stretch of road.

Proposals include allowing buses to enter and wait in the High Street as well as allowing vehicles during funeral and wedding processions.

Other plans include expanding the Restricted Parking Zone boundary at the northern end of High Street to include Soapers Lane.

In addition, according to the plan vehicles would also not be permitted to wait at any time in the Restricted Parking Zone (which includes Castle Court and Soapers Lane) and along lengths of The Plain, The Close, and High Street.

However access will be maintained for work vehicles to load and unload, as well as for residents to use disabled parking bays.

An aerial picture of Thornbury High Street - photo from early March before works began (Image: South Gloucestershire Council)

An artist's impression of Thornbury High Street (Image: South Gloucestershire Council)

A council document for the consultation reads: "On June 7, 2021, SGC's cabinet agreed a future vision to help ensure future vitality and viability for Thornbury High Street.

"This will be achieved by providing a more attractive space with reduced vehicular traffic.

"The revised layout must be supported by restrictions to motor vehicle traffic."

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: "Throughout the town centre design process, we worked with individuals and groups to shape and develop the plans.

"One of the things that people told us was that they wanted buses to return to the High Street, even if this is possible for one direction of travel.

"In response, we need to update the legal orders that underpin the traffic restrictions.

"We encourage people to share their views on aligning the legal traffic restrictions more accurately with the finished layout of High Street, and new bus stop with the relaxation allowing for the return of a bus service directly from the High Street."

The consultation is open until Saturday, July 22.

For more information see tinyurl.com/56jh5pch