Loughborough Town Centre
Consultation - Winter 2005/06
Transport Proposals
Earlier this year we carried out a consultation on proposals for completing the Loughborough Inner Relief Road. 77% of those who replied supported these proposals, and with the exception of delivery vehicles outside peak shopping hours, this would remove most or all of the traffic from the A6 through Market Place.
The proposals will:
- Provide an opportunity to improve the built environment and help the regeneration of Loughborough as planned in Charnwood Borough Council’s Town Centre Masterplan
- Make the central area safer for pedestrians, cyclists and disabled people by reducing potential for accidents
- Remove the nuisance caused by traffic noise and fumes through the town centre
- Provide improved on-street bus facilities.
Based on this support, the County Council plan to submit a bid to government to pay for the works. Before we do so, we want your views on other aspects of the scheme.
PROVIDING FOR BUSES
Bus Passengers
Many people support the idea of a bus station for the town, but bus companies would only use one if it were central and the only potential site - that of the former hospital - would be very expensive and difficult to deliver according to an independent consultant’s study.
An alternative solution is the provision of high quality on-street bus facilities or bus hubs”. By the use of careful design, these facilities can provide similar levels of service for passengers and there are many good examples of how this has been achieved in other city centres around the country. One such example is Dundee and the photos illustrate the level of improvement that could be achieved using a similar approach in Loughborough.
The County Council believes that providing bus hubs at Ashby Square and Baxter Gate/High Street, with a pedestrianised area through Market Place linking the two hubs, is the best way forward for Loughborough town centre.
To achieve these improvements, changes will be needed to existing bus routes which presently use the A6 through Market Place. The alternative route options are illustrated as Option A and Option B.
We are seeking your view on which bus route option you prefer.
Bus Route Options
Option A: A6 Market Place Fully Pedestrianised
- New fully pedestrianised area between Swan Street and High Street
- Pedestrian environment significantly improved. No conflict between pedestrians and vehicles during peak shopping hours in Market Place
- Two bus hubs to be formed at Derby Square and Baxter Gate/High Street, replacing existing bus stops with high quality on-street facilities
- Existing bus stops in Market Place and on High Street (southbound) to be relocated to the new bus hubs
- Increased journey times for those buses not allowed to pass through Market Place, making bus services less economic and so a greater risk of reduced levels of service.
Option B: Buses Permitted One-Way Through A6 Market Place
- New pedestrian priority area between Swan Street and High Street with southbound buses permitted to pass through under controlled conditions
- Pedestrian environment greatly improved. Most conflict between pedestrians and vehicles in Market Place will be removed during peak shopping hours
- Two bus hubs to be formed at Derby Square and Baxter Gate/High Street, replacing existing bus stops with high quality on-street facilities
- Existing bus stops in Market Place to be relocated to the new bus hubs
- Southbound routes through Market Place remain unaffected. Journey times will increase for buses not allowed to pass through Market Place but less risk of reduced levels of service.
INNER RELIEF ROAD
Loughborough Inner Relief Road – Junction Options
The Inner Relief Road will bring many benefits for many people but it will bring traffic closer to some residents of Hastings Ward. Traffic flows on Moor Lane, School Street and Moira Street currently range between 100 to 200 vehicles during the peak period. Altering vehicle turning movements will influence the amount of through traffic and affect access routes for this residential area. Two options are proposed and we want your views on these:
Note: these drawings are indicative only for the purpose of showing the proposed turning movements and not the final highway boundary
Option 1: Restricted Traffic Turning Movements and Option 2: Less Restricted Traffic Turning Movements.
OPTION 1- Restricted Traffic turning movements
Designed to minimise traffic using School Street, Moor Lane and Moira Street. Traffic on Moor Lane would be slightly higher than today but the other two streets would be reduced to access traffic only.
However, because there is greater restriction of traffic turning movements with this option, journey lengths for drivers accessing this area would be generally increased.
OPTION 2 - Less restricted traffic turning movements
Designed to provide greater access for traffic. This option would avoid an increase in journey lengths but at the cost of extra traffic. Moira Street and School Street are expected to have traffic flows similar or slightly lower than today but Moor Lane is expected to have a two-fold increase in traffic.
We want to know which option, or combination of junction layouts, you feel provides the best balance between reducing traffic and maintaining good car access.
Exhibition
Our exhibition was held in The Rushes shopping centre opposite Virgin Megastore on the following dates:
Thursday 15th December 2005, 12noon – 6pm
Friday 16th December 2005, 10am – 4pm
Saturday 17th December, 2005, 10am – 2pm
What Happens Next?
Questionnaires should be completed online by Friday 27th January 2006. The County Council Cabinet will then consider all views before making a decision on how the scheme design should be taken forward.
A funding bid to government is planned for mid 2006 and a planning application would then be submitted towards the end of 2006.
If government funding is made available then construction could start in 2009.
Contacts
Major Transport Projects, Leicestershire County Council, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicestershire. LE3 8RJ.
Tel: 0116 305 6835
Fax: 0116 305 6755
Email: tsd@leics.gov.uk
Minicom: 0116 305 7334
Tel: 0116 305 6835
Fax: 0116 305 6755
Email: tsd@leics.gov.uk
Minicom: 0116 305 7334
Consultation closing date: Friday 27th January 2006.
Alternative Formats
If you require this information in an alternative version e.g. large print, Braille or an alternative language please telephone 0116 305 6835:
Page Last Updated: 5 February 2009
