CHANGES to an experimental traffic order that’s set to take place in Bridgend town centre have been approved by the local council.
The proposed order was initially given the go-ahead in September to extend loading and unloading hours in a number of streets such as Queen Street, Dunraven Place, and Market Street.
These streets are currently closed to traffic between the hours of 10am and 6pm with bollards in place blocking access to pedestrianised parts of the town since 2004.
Along with extending the opening times the order would see cyclists allowed in the pedestrianised zone with the existing taxi bays in Derwen Road converted to blue badge parking spaces.
It would also look at arrangements to simplify town centre access during large-scale events or emergencies.
The proposal to test these steps for a period of 18 months was approved by cabinet members last month after years of calls from local shop owners to open the town centre back up to traffic.
However members of Bridgend council’s independent group later called for the decision to be taken back as they felt it did not go far enough in addressing what residents had been asking for.
At a scrutiny session many questioned what difference the move would actually make to the town as despite loading and unloading times being extended cars would still not be allowed to park in the streets.
This led to a second cabinet discussion where members agreed a number of changes to the initial proposal.
These included giving more access to parking bays for blue badge holders along Queen Street, Dunraven Place, and Market Street along with greater access for taxis in the town centre.
They also agreed to carry out a safety assessment to see if more cycling should be allowed in the pedestrianised area along with work to explore if vehicle access could eventually be extended.
The alterations were approved unanimously by members in attendance at the meeting with Cllr Neelo Farr saying: “We have listened carefully to both the consultation feedback and the questions raised during the call-in.
“We understand the direction being asked of us and while it may not go as far as we wish our focus remains on delivering work that is safe practical and compliant.”
Officers said they had considered the call-in recommendations, describing the move as just the first step in improving access to the town centre that was not the final outcome.
Following the meeting a council spokesman said: “The council will now make arrangements for the experimental traffic order to be in place for the next 18 months and for the situation to be carefully monitored and analysed.”
Members of the Bridgend county independent group said while they welcomed the moves to increase blue badge parking and allow access for taxis the decision did not do enough to progress the partial reintroduction of general traffic to the town.
A joint statement from Cllr Steve Easterbrook and Cllr Tim Wood said: “There is overwhelming public support for partial reintroduction of traffic into Bridgend town centre, which is shared by traders.
“This 18-month trial should be the ideal opportunity to demonstrate that traffic can be safely reintroduced and we are are deeply disappointed that the chance has been squandered.”
