Traffic plan 'may kill town' (From Oxford Mail)

Traffic plan 'may kill town'

5:50pm Wednesday 15th July 2009 in

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People in Wantage fear plans to alter roads around Market Place will “kill the town” and could lead to the same traffic congestion experienced in Abingdon.

Wantage Town Council has drawn up plans to bring in two-way traffic on the south side of the Market Place, move bus stops and pedestrianise the north side of the square.

But residents and traders are concerned it will lead to the same problems as the £3.1m Abingdon Integrated Transport Strategy (Abits), introduced in 2006.

The scheme to improve traffic flow and access for pedestrians, shoppers and cyclists, has led to rising traffic congestion.

Graham Nash, of Stirlings Road, said: “The Abingdon scheme has killed the town. It has driven a lot of people to shop elsewhere.

“The situation in Wantage Market Place is bad enough for the traders as it is. We want what is best for the town and the community around it.”

Architects drew up two schemes, A and B, as part of the project to redevelop Wantage Market Place.

Concept A, which was favoured during consultation in May, included lowering the traffic speed limit from 30mph to 20mph, seven pedestrian crossings, six parking areas, the two-way traffic flow, and moving bus waiting zones from the Market Place to Seesen Way during the day.

The £1m revamp is due to start in the next three years and could be finished by the end of 2012.

Mr Nash said moving the buses would not be fair on residents in Stirlings Road, which runs parallel to Seesen Way.

He has written to the town council urging it to come up with a scheme which suits everyone.

Jack Loftin, of Charlton Village Road, said: “As things stand, I fear that the £1m kiss of life for Wantage could be costly and needless, making the town a place best to avoid.

Andy Anderson, owner of Stuarts Taxis, said: “Moving the buses out of the town will kill it. It would be ridiculous for the elderly. They can’t always walk very far.”

Mayor Patrick O’Leary said: “We will put pinch points in on a temporary basis to see how the traffic would be affected before anything goes ahead.”

Funding for the facelift would be from the town council and other bodies. An Oxfordshire County Council spokesman said: “We are at the very early stages.”