The Working Party received a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that sought approval of proposals to amend the road layout and traffic flows, including the introduction of signal controls and amendment of traffic regulation orders to support the proposals, in Queensway, at the junctions with Whitegate Road and York Road.  The proposals included:

(i)  the introduction of a signal controlled right turn manoeuvre by vehicles travelling south from Queensway into Whitegate Road;

(ii)  the introduction of a signal controlled right turn manoeuvre by vehicles travelling south from Queensway into York Road;

(iii)  the introduction of a left turn manoeuvre by vehicles travelling north from Queensway into Whitegate Road;

(iv)  the revocation of the existing one way traffic flow in the section of Whitegate Road from the eastern most exit of Warrior Square Car Park to the eastern extremity of Whitegate Road, enabling two way traffic flow in this section;

(v)  the revocation of the existing restrictions in the section of Whitegate Road referred to in (iv) above and the introduction “no waiting at any time” restrictions;

(vi)  the revocation of the existing “no waiting at any time restriction” at the existing western exit of Warriors Square car park and the introduction of a section of Payment Parking (Zone_TC) 9am-6pm (Tariff_1) restriction; and

(vii)  the relocation of the existing “Toucan” pedestrian crossing in Queensway in the southbound carriageway of Queensway to a new position south of the junction with York Road.

Plans of the proposals were displayed at the meeting. 

Whilst the Working Party noted the objective of the proposals, it felt that the introduction of the right turn manoeuvres from Queensway were unnecessary, and may lead to increased congestion.  Access to the Warrior Square Car Park could however, be improved by amending the road layout and waiting restrictions at the eastern extremity of Whitegate Road as proposed without the right turns manoeuvres from Queensway but retaining the proposed left turn manoeuvre from the north bound carriageway of Queensway only.  This would however, require a remodelling of the scheme and a full safety audit and may not therefore be appropriate.

Resolved:-

That Cabinet Committee be recommended that the proposals as submitted not be progressed and that that officers requested to investigate the feasibility of introducing a revised scheme to improve access to the Warrior Square Car Park excluding, if possible, the introduction of the right turns from Queensway in to Whitegate Road and York Road, through

(a)  the introduction of the left turn from the northbound carriageway of Queensway into Whitegate Road;

(b)  the revocation of the existing one way traffic flow in the section of Whitegate Road from the eastern most exit of Warrior Square Car Park to the eastern extremity of Whitegate Road, enabling two way traffic flow in this section; and

(c)  the revocation of the existing “no waiting at any time restriction” at the existing western exit of Warriors Square car park and the introduction of a section of Payment Parking (Zone_TC) 9am-6pm (Tariff_1) restriction.