PLANNED changes to how Bridgend town centre’s pedestrianised streets can be accessed are to be strengthened as part of a new experimental traffic order.
Under proposals previously agreed by Cabinet in September, loading and unloading hours will be extended to before 11am and after 4pm, and existing taxi bays on Derwen Road which are currently underused will be converted to establish additional parking spaces for blue badge holders.
Subject to a safety assessment, more cycling will be allowed within the pedestrianised area, and arrangements will also be put in place to simplify town centre access during large scale events or emergency incidents.
The changes were agreed following the results of recent public consultation which drew 760 responses in total. Of these, 60 per cent were in support of extended loading and unloading hours, 56 per cent agreed with permitting cycling within the pedestrian area, and 64 per cent supported additional Blue Badge parking on Derwen Road.
Now, following recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny committee, the Cabinet of Bridgend County Borough Council has confirmed that in addition to this, blue badge holders will be able to access new parking bays along Queen Street, Dunraven Place and Market Street.
More work will be undertaken to explore whether vehicle access can be extended further along Queen Street, Dunraven Place and Market Street, and a third change – to undertake work to provide taxis with greater access into the town centre – was also proposed and agreed.
Councillor Neelo Farr, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Development and Housing, said: “We have listened carefully to both the feedback from the public consultation and the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny committee, and have agreed to enhance the proposals for how this £102,000 scheme can be introduced.
“As always, public wellbeing remains our primary concern, and we fully intend to implement this scheme in a series of carefully managed phases that remain safe, practical and compliant.
“It remains important to note that the experimental traffic order continues to represent a first step towards restoring elements of vehicle and bicycle access within Bridgend town centre, and that this will enable us to gather evidence that could support further changes during later phases.”
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.
