Keep Wallbridge closed to traffic
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30 Jan 2012
Keep Wallbridge closed to through traffic - that’s the message of Stroud Town Council.
Last year the council campaigned for a further public consultation about the new bridge and traffic system at Cheapside to include an option to improve the area for the public.
On Monday, February 6 to February 17, residents will have the opportunity to vote for the option that they would prefer.
More than 80 people turned out on Saturday in a show of support for leaving Wallbridge closed to through traffic with the chance of further improving the area in the future.
Gloucestershire Highways, which is responsible for the traffic system, is staging the exhibition and consultation at the Canal Trust offices in Wallbridge.
There are two main proposed options.
The first is to make Wallbridge one way to Dr Newton’s Way for vehicles and to create a separate cycle/footway on the south side.
The second option is to keep Wallbridge closed to through traffic but open for access to Travis Perkins.
Stroud Town Council believes this is the best option.
“The road system works fine for cars leaving town as it is,” said Stroud town councillor Ben Spencer.
“Wallbridge is a key route into the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists travelling from the canal towpath and from the Rodborough side of town.
“Keeping it closed to traffic makes it easier, safer and much more pleasant to use and a better environment for the Canal Trust visitor centre and the Lockkeepers Cafe,” he said.
“It is very doubtful that opening Wallbridge to through traffic would improve traffic flow and if the route was one-way the traffic would be much more of a risk to pedestrians,” he added.
“With the second option there is also a greater chance that, in the medium-term, the area could be further enhanced as a gateway to Stroud that we can enjoy and be proud of.”
The option is also supported by district councillors David Drew, Simon Pickering, Philip Booth, Martin Whiteside and Andy Read, county councillor Sarah Lunnon, chair of Rodborough Parish Council Phil Blomberg, local sustainability expert Professor Hugh Barton, Stroud Valleys Cycle Campaign, Stroud Against the Gyratory and the Lockkeepers Cafe.
“We urge people to visit the exhibition and support the option to keep Wallbridge closed so that Gloucestershire Highways is in no doubt that is this the way forward,” said Councillor Spencer.
The exhibition will be open from 10am-1pm Monday-Friday and 10am-4pm Thursdays and Saturday at the Cotswold Canal Trust offices in Bell House, Wallbridge, from February 6 - February 17.
Watch the short video capturing some of the voices of the 80 or so people who attended to protest on Saturday 28th January against the reopening of the road at Wallbridge.