COUNTY CONFIRMS NO REVISION OF TRAFFIC FLOW ON BARNSTAPLE SQUARE
July 23, 2009 10:57 AM
Nick Harvey says, 'There was concern over the impact of the new traffic layout in the Strand and Barnstaple Square on local residents and businesses; initially some residents were concerned that Litchdon Street might become a rat run due to the no left turn on the Square.
'Following my representations Devon County Council have confirmed that there will be no change, explaining if the left-hand turn was re-instigated it would lead to traffic congestion similar to before the changes.'
Edward Chorlton, Deputy Chief Executive Devon County Council says, 'My concern with allowing a left turn into the Square towards Longbridge would be that we would encourage through traffic and erode the traffic reduction gains that have been achieved here.
'The financial cost of reintroducing a left turn at Taw Vale would be about £100k. However, I do not see that this could be justified and I hope you will agree there are many other factors to consider in ensuring best value to Barnstaple's environment, economy and public realm.'
According to Devon County Council following the implementation of the traffic management scheme which includes the restriction on Taw Vale, there has been a reduction of flow on many town routes. In particular, the traffic using Longbridge has fallen by 42%. This has a very beneficial effect on the Seven Brethren junction.
Additionally initial concerns over rat-runs in the Litchdon area proved ill-founded once the oneway/residents only access system was put in place. This is working well and has made the area much more environmentally friendly in terms of significant traffic reduction.
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