Want to object to plans to close Boots Corner?

Do you live in areas affected by the Cheltenham Transport Plan and want to object to plans to close Boots Corner but not sure what to write, below is a letter that you can copy and paste and I strongly suggest you edit to make your own. It is important to add your name and address. You can also email your representations to the County Council on the details below:-

Email:  TROCheltTP@gloucestershire.gov.uk

All representations need to be in before 22nd November 2014.

For information to help you understand the impact the roads likely to be impacted by increased traffic include:

College Road
St Luke's Road
Bath Parade
St Luke's Place
All Saints Road
Hewlett Road
Fairview Road
London Road
Old Bath Road (near the London Road)
St Margaret's Road
Swindon Road
Poole Way
Gloucester Road
Lower High Street
Honeybourne Way
St George's Street
St James' Square
St George's Place
Montpellier Terrace
Bath Road

Legal Services,                                                                           

Shire Hall,                                                                                                            

Gloucester,                                                                                                                       GL1 2TG

                                                                                                      14^th November  2014

Objection to the Cheltenham Transport Plan, (second consultation).

Boots Corner with just one accident in the last seven years has a truly exceptional record for such a busy junction. It is not possible to use safety as an excuse to change this area; the resultant change is unquestionably going to be more dangerous. 

The transport plan documentation fails to show the bus lanes and street layout in front of Boots corner. Are buses going to be allowed straight past Boots and on down the High Street? If so what will happen to the pedestrian crossing? Boots Corner is an area that the transport plan claims will be improved but the lack of such detail makes it impossible to give a fully informed comment on this crucial aspect of the scheme. 

Notwithstanding this I am very concerned about the safety of pedestrians with sight or other disabilities if the current pedestrian crossing is removed and buses and taxis are still allowed through. The second TRO consultation instead of making this issue clearer has actually made it less clear because of the uncertainty of whether or not the crossing will remain.

If the Pedestrian Crossing at Boots Corner remains in place, it cancels out the original premise of the scheme, which the public were told would bring significant public realm improvements through the pedestrianisation of Boots Corner. But if it is removed, with buses and taxis still moving through the space there are real concerns that the space will be less safe for vulnerable people.

This scheme creates more traffic issues than it solves. Traffic from Boots Corner will be displaced along narrower, town centre streets through residential areas and past schools. 

Increasing traffic on routes such as College Road, All Saints Road and Hewlett Road which have cars parked along the edges will make it more dangerous for cyclists to use and for pedestrians to cross. Also with more congestion on key routes, journey times will become longer and more unpredictable, which will adversely affect local businesses. Drivers may be more inclined to drive faster along routes taking the displaced traffic to make up for longer, less direct routes.

Displaced traffic will increase Nitrogen Dioxide Levels in at least three of the five areas of the town where the maximum European levels are already exceeded. Emissions may be reduced around Boots Corner but there is a considerable overall gain outside this immediate central area and the town as a whole.  

The modelling fails to explain the total volume of displaced traffic flows or identify the night-time or off-peak impact on residential areas. I am concerned about the impact on the amenity of residents who will have more traffic going past their homes during the night because of this, in particular an increase in HGVs.

These plans will not deliver the significant improvement at Boots Corner promised by Cheltenham Borough Council as large buses and taxis will still be allowed through. Residents around the the town will be affected by the displaced traffic, as will many local businesses because of the increase in journey time and uncertainty of journey time the changes will lead to. Safety at Boots Corner is a big concern, the space works well at the moment for people with sight or other disabilities and the appearance could be improved without the need to change traffic flow.

Can you please confirm receipt of this objection.

Yours Faithfully,