Experimental plan to reduce traffic at Orford and Westy – the detail

WARRINGTON Borough Council’s controversial experimental plan to reduce traffic at Orford and Westy will come into force on June 20 with the aim of preventing people from using residential roads as rat runs.

But the plan has sparked an outcry from local residents, who claim the proposals, which include a ‘bus gate’ on Hallfields Road in Orford, will cause some people to be isolated from care workers, while others say it will add miles to their car journies, causing bottlenecks and traffic jams in already congested areas.

After announcing the 18-month temporary proposals earlier this week, Warrington Borough Council has now published the detail and statement of reasons. Those objecting or supporting the proposals can do so via email [email protected]

If deemed successful the temporary proposals will become permanent.

STATEMENT OF REASONS

Building on the work undertaken for the Central 6 Regeneration Masterplan and to address key concerns raised by the Orford and Westy communities, the Council, as part of the Central 6 Streets Plan has addressed those concerns with the introduction of 2 Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs). LTN schemes use planters, bollards or other measures to restrict motor vehicle use in residential streets. An LTN closes off areas to through traffic so that you can drive to it but not through it. This prevents people using residential roads as shortcuts (‘rat-running’) and makes it safer and easier to walk and cycle. The Orders will be introduced on an experimental basis for a period not exceeding 18 months. Representations to be received within 6 months of the operative date.

THE BOROUGH OF WARRINGTON (ORFORD) (LOW TRAFFIC NEIGHBOURHOOD) (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME) EXPERIMENTAL ORDER 2022

In addition to the modal filters, the introduction of a ‘Bus Gate’ on Hallfields Road (between the old railway embankments) is proposed to prohibit through traffic except buses, taxis and cycles. A 20mph speed limit is also proposed on Hallfields Road as the nature of the existing route improves significantly without large volumes of rat-running traffic.

In addition to the modal filters, the direction of one-way traffic on Broadbent Avenue is reversed – permitting travel in only a westerly direction between Knutsford Road and Davies Avenue and introducing a new proposed one-way section in a westerly direction between Davies Avenue & Griffiths Street.

WARRINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984

THE BOROUGH OF WARRINGTON (ORFORD) (LOW TRAFFIC NEIGHBOURHOOD) (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME) EXPERIMENTAL ORDER 2022

Notice is hereby given that on 1st June 2022 the Council made the abovementioned Order under Sections 1, 4, 9 and 10 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and of all other enabling Powers. The effect of the Order will be as follows: –

1) The Borough of Warrington (Smith Drive, Withers Avenue, Hallows Avenue and Adjoining Streets) (Prohibition of Driving) Order 1987 is suspended in its entirety.

2) To prohibit any Motor Vehicle from proceeding along the lengths of road specified in Schedule 1 to this Notice. Pedal Cycles will be permitted.

3) To prohibit any Motor Vehicle from proceeding along the lengths of road specified in Schedule 2 to this Notice, except for Buses, Taxis and for the purposes of loading and unloading. Pedal Cycles will be permitted.

4) To prohibit any Motor Vehicle leaving property numbers 7, 7A and 7B Hallfields Road from making a left hand turn onto Hallfields Road, except for Taxis.

5) To prohibit any Motor Vehicle leaving “Norris Street passageway rear of 6 to 64 Ref 10013404505’ to the rear of property numbers 32 to 64 Norris Street and to the side of property number 2 Hallfields Road from making a left hand turn onto Hallfields Road, except for Taxis.

6) To prohibit any Motor Vehicle leaving the area to the rear of property numbers 68 and 68A Norris Street from making a right hand turn onto Hallfields Road, except for Taxis.

7) To prohibit any Motor Vehicle leaving property number 5 Hallfields Road from making a right hand turn onto Hallfields Road, except for Taxis.

8) To introduce a 24 Hour Bus Gate on the length of Hallfields Road which extends from a point approximately 32 metres north east of its junction with Norris Street in a north easterly direction for approximately 35 metres, in both directions, except for Buses and Taxis. Pedal Cycles will be permitted in both directions.

9) To introduce a 20 miles per hour speed limit on Hallfields Road, for its entire length.

The Order will be effective from 20th June 2022 and will remain in force for a period not exceeding 18 months. The Council will be considering in due course, within the Experimental Order period, whether the provisions of the Experimental Order should continue in force indefinitely. Deposited documents may be viewed on-line at https://www.warrington.gov.uk/permanent-traffic-regulation-orders or Town Hall Reception, Town Hall, Sankey Street, Warrington, WA1 1UH between 9am & 5pm, Monday to Friday.

All representations both in support or objecting to the proposals must be in writing either by post to Legal Services or delivered by hand to the address above or emailed to [email protected] and be received within 6 months of the Experimental Order coming into force. All representations must clearly and concisely specify the grounds on which they are made. Please note that all representations received may be considered in public by the Council and that the substance of any representation together with the name and address of the person making it could become available for public inspection.

Details of the full scheme and any FAQ may be viewed on-line at www.warrington.gov.uk/central-6-streets-plan.

SCHEDULE 1 – PROHIBITION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Alder Lane – From a point approximately 38 metres south east of its junction with East Avenue for a distance of 2 metres in a south westerly direction.

Orford Avenue – From a point approximately 35 metres north east of its junction with Norris Street for a distance of 2 metres in a north easterly direction.

Fitzherbert Street – From a point approximately 6 metres west of its junction with Orford Avenue for a distance of 2 metres in a westerly direction.

Mortimer Avenue – From a point approximately 30 metres south west of its junction with Alder Lane for a distance of 2 metres in a south westerly direction.

South Avenue- From a point approximately 8 metres north of its junction with Lathom Avenue for a distance of 2 metres in a northerly direction.

South Avenue – From a point approximately 27 metres south of its junction with Ireland Street for a distance of 2 metres in a southerly direction.

Central Avenue – From a point approximately 7 metres south west of its junction with Alder Lane for a distance of 2 metres in a south westerly direction.

SCHEDULE 2 – PROHIBITION OF MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FOR BUSES, TAXIS & LOADING/UNLOADING

Hallfields Road – From its junction with Withers Avenue in a southerly direction for a distance of approximately 34 metres.

Hallfields Road – From its junction with Norris Street in a north easterly direction for a distance of 32 metres.

WARRINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984

THE BOROUGH OF WARRINGTON (WESTY) (LOW TRAFFIC NEIGHBOURHOOD) (TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME) EXPERIMENTAL ORDER 2022

Notice is hereby given that on 1st June 2022 the Council made the abovementioned Order under Sections 1, 4, 9 and 10 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and of all other enabling Powers. The effect of the Order will be as follows: –

1) The Borough of Warrington (Henshall Avenue and Broadbent Avenue) (One-Way Traffic) Order 1989 is suspended in so far as it relates to the One Way restriction on Broadbent Avenue, from Davies Avenue to Kingsway South, from west to east.

2) To prohibit any Motor Vehicle from proceeding along the lengths of road specified in the Schedule to this Notice. Pedal Cycles will be permitted.

3) To prohibit any Motor Vehicle from proceeding along Broadbent Avenue (between Kingsway South and the eastern side of Davies Avenue), in any direction other than a westerly direction (east to west).

4) To prohibit any Motor Vehicle from proceeding along Broadbent Avenue (between the western side of Davies Avenue & Griffiths Street), in any direction other than a westerly direction (east to west).

The Order will be effective from 20th June 2022 and will remain in force for a period not exceeding 18 months. The Council will be considering in due course, within the Experimental Order period, whether the provisions of the Experimental Order should continue in force indefinitely. Deposited documents may be viewed on-line at https://www.warrington.gov.uk/permanent-traffic-regulation-orders or Town Hall Reception, Town Hall, Sankey Street, Warrington, WA1 1UH between 9am & 5pm, Monday to Friday.

All representations both in support or objecting to the proposals must be in writing either by post to Legal Services or delivered by hand to the address above or emailed to [email protected] and be received within 6 months of the Experimental Order coming into force. All representations must clearly and concisely specify the grounds on which they are made. Please note that all representations received may be considered in public by the Council and that the substance of any representation together with the name and address of the person making it could become available for public inspection.

Details of the full scheme and any FAQ may be viewed on-line at www.warrington.gov.uk/central-6-streets-plan.

SCHEDULE – PROHIBITION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Grange Avenue – From a point approximately 23 metres south west of its junction with Westy Lane for a distance of 2 metres in a south westerly direction.

Griffiths Street – From a point approximately 5 metres south east of its junction with Westy Lane for a distance of 2 metres in a south easterly direction.

Griffiths Street – From a point approximately 6 metres south east of its junction with Broadbent Avenue for a distance of 2 metres in a south easterly direction.

Reynolds Street – At its junction on the east side of Tinsley Street for a distance of 2 metres in an easterly direction.

We’re launching our new ‘Central 6 Streets Plan’ in Orford and Westy on 20 June. It aims to reduce traffic and create a cleaner, greener, safer environment for local people.

Find more: https://t.co/BVmFgbPNcc pic.twitter.com/pV8RF2Ngm7

— Warrington Borough Council (@WarringtonBC) May 30, 2022

Experimental plan to reduce traffic in two inner wards