MP Luke Hall has repeated his calls to the government to include Thornbury in a national review to reopen the High Street.
The Government's Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper, visited the High Street with Mr Hall on Thursday, August 24, to discuss the impact of the changes on the town.
The High Street has been closed to traffic for three years after it was first shut by South Gloucestershire Council during the pandemic.
The £4.6 million SGC scheme includes reducing through-traffic, removing parking bays, widening pathways, increasing cycle parking, adding seating and building new planters.
However, previously in May last year 72 per cent of Thornbury residents voted against the move in a referendum vote.
Construction work started in March this year and is expected to last until spring 2024.
Meanwhile, in a consultation in July, SGC proposed allowing buses high street access as well as parking for work vehicles and disabled drivers.
Mr Hall has now stated that he would like to see a one-way system for all traffic in the High Street and intends to raise the issue in the House of Commons.
It comes as the government recently announced they would be reviewing low traffic neighbourhoods across the UK with PM Rishi Sunak stating "he's on the side of motorists".
Mr Hall said: "Pedestrianised high street schemes which proceed without community support are hugely damaging communities like Thornbury.
"I am pleased to have talked in detail with the Transport Secretary about the lack of support for the changes.
"We need to take this opportunity to consider whether there is a route back towards allowing vehicles on the High Street in Thornbury."
READ MORE: Proposed new traffic rules for Thornbury High Street
Mr Harper said: "It's right that the Prime Minister has asked for a review to be carried out into low traffic neighbourhoods.
"A number were introduced during the pandemic with a lack of consultation.
"Where local authorities have schemes that aren't popular, are very controversial and aren't very well supported, then it would probably be wise for them to look at them again.
"Active travel should be about giving people more choice on how they travel, not banning them from driving in places.
"I had a good conversation with Luke Hall MP about how this principle should apply across the country, including Thornbury."
SGC Councillor Maggie Tyrell (Lib Dem, Thornbury) said: "Luke Hall seems to be misinformed, the High Street will not be pedestrianised and traffic will still move through it!
"If Luke wants to reverse his government's policy then they have to provide the funds to re-consult the public and then be prepared to fund any physical changes that come out of that exercise, which could easily cost £5 million or more.
"I'd also suggest that Thornbury needs some respite from constant disruption and roadworks.
"The whole process of consultation and implementation of the current scheme has been hugely divisive and the community is only just beginning to heal, so the thought of starting again isn't appealing.
"The council will be reviewing the scheme when it is complete to see if there are any changes and improvements that need to be made within the physical space that we now have."
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