TOWN leaders have welcomed the first phase of major highway changes in Cirencester which are being rolled out this week to improve road safety in the town centre.
Gloucestershire County Council has announced that parking restrictions will be put in place in three congested roads in Cirencester - Dollar Street, King Street and Victoria Road - from Thursday, November 30.
Double yellow lines will be put in place along both sides of Dollar Street between the junctions with Thomas Street and Coxwell Street to improve road safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Concerns about congestion and lack of visibility for pedestrians attempting to cross the road were raised during consultation meetings.
GCC hopes these new measures will stop drivers from parking dangerously close to junctions or causing obstruction for passing vehicles, especially emergency service vehicles.
Sections of the existing no waiting from 8am to 6.30pm restrictions will remain on the south-west side of the street so residents can still park overnight.
Meanwhile, another double yellow line will be put in place along the north-west side of King Street near the junction with Victoria Road.
In addition, two parking bays next to the St Michael's Park's entrance will be converted into disabled parking bays and will be restricted to disabled badge holders between 8am and 6pm.
Two extra unrestricted bays will also be added to this street.
These changes to King Street were requested by county councillor Rebecca Halifax (Lib Dem, Cirencester Park).
A new double yellow line will also be put in place on the south-west side of Victoria Road between the junctions with Chester Street and The Avenue.
Dom Morris, GCC cabinet member for highways, said: “We are providing two extra disabled badge holder bays in King Street, Cirencester to improve accessibility for disabled visitors using St Michael's Park.
"Two extra unrestricted bays are being provided in King Street to offset the loss of the two bays closest to the park entrance.
“Following concerns about vehicles parking close to junctions and obstruction for passing vehicles, including the emergency services, we are also introducing ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions in Dollar Street to prevent inappropriate parking.
“Extensive consultation was carried out with residents and businesses and these measures will take effect from November 30.
"They will help to improve traffic flow and road safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.”
Cirencester Town Council is confident that these changes will help make the town centre a safer place for residents and visitors.
A spokesperson said: “We welcome the provision of on-street parking bays for blue badge holders and improving navigation and safety for residents and visitors through the town centre.
"We hope this is the first step in other traffic regulation improvements being made, particularly in Cricklade Street.”
The next stage of major changes to the town centre will revamp Cirencester Market Place, Cricklade Street and West Way.
GCC has drafted plans for these areas which will come into effect in the new year.
These proposed plans include measures such as introducing motorcycle only bays in the Market Place, cycling parking places in Cricklade Street and disabled only parking bays in Castle Street, Cricklade Street, Market Place and West Way.
In addition, orders have been proposed to prohibit right turn movements from West Way into Cricklade Street, excluding cyclists.
Pay and display parking places have also been proposed for Cricklade Street and Dyer Street.
For more information about these changes visit tinyurl.com/5asvrjtr
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