Plans to slow down drivers in Warwick given go-ahead - The Leamington Observer

Plans to slow down drivers in Warwick given go-ahead

Leamington Editorial 16th Dec, 2016   0

SLOWING down drivers in Warwick town centre has been given the green-light.

A range of planned improvements geared towards cyclists and pedestrians include a 20 mile per hour zone on all roads in the town centre. The zone would include some physical features to help slow traffic, in line with the lower speed limit.

Further works agreed by county highway chiefs would take place at Priory Road to narrow the road and provide a dedicated shared use pedestrian/cycle path to town to the town centre.

Changes are also earmarked at the Northgate junction, including the removal of the existing roundabout and narrowing of the road, a widening of the pavement outside Northgate House, and the provision of a new pedestrian and cycle crossing.




A public consultation asking residents and businesses what they thought about the proposed improvement ideas for the town centre was launched earlier this year. It followed a transport strategy review for Warwick and Leamington which identified the need to improve air quality, reduce traffic jams and improve life for walkers and cyclists.

Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet endorsed the principles of the overall transport proposals for Warwick – which include the one-way routing of The Butts and High Street/Jury Street, a cycle contraflow on some one-way streets and junction alterations at key gateways to the town – and agreed to further work being carried out to develop the proposals following feedback from the public consultation. It includes minor amendments to the Priory Road proposals and amendments to the design of the Northgate proposals to be more in keeping with the Conservation Area.


The improvements will be funded by housing developer contributions, including the South West Warwick development, with the works taking place next year.

Coun Peter Butlin, Warwickshire County Council transport spokesman, said: “These initial improvements will ensure that traffic enters the town at an appropriate speed and will help people move around the town centre freely and safely.

“Further work will now take place to develop proposals for more extensive plans that would reduce the dominance of traffic in the town centre and improve traffic flow.”

* MAJOR road improvements to the A46 near the University of Warwick have been given the green-light.

The A46 Link Road scheme will be carried out in three phases over the next decade to help ease congestion and improve access to the university and business parks.

Coun Peter Butlin, deputy leader of Warwickshire County Council which agreed the scheme, said: “Infrastructure investment is needed in key corridors such as the A45 and A46 to provide the conditions for businesses to continue to invest in the area.

“An efficient transport network with sufficient capacity and resilience is key to maintaining and supporting future growth.

“This is exactly what the A46 Link Road scheme aims to deliver.”

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