A date has been set confirming when a new bus gate on a busy Staffordshire road comes into force.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is introducing the bus gate on College Road, Stoke-on-Trent, next to Staffordshire University’s Cadman building entrance.
It will restrict through traffic to bicycles, taxis (including private hire vehicles), buses and authorised vehicles between Station Road and Queen Anne Street.
The authority has now confirmed it will be operational from Monday, April 3 at 5am. It is being introduced to help ease congestion and improve air quality and safety, the council says.
The main employer in the area affected by the bus gate is Staffordshire University who have now communicated the enforcement date to staff.
A spokesperson for the University said: “The council has advised us that the Bus Gate on College Road will be fully operational from Monday 3 April, 2023 and we have communicated these changes and advised new routes to staff and students.
“Drivers wanting to access our College Road site and car park are advised to use the alternative routes and to be mindful of the new Bus Gate restrictions in place on College Road when entering or exiting the site.
“We hope the new scheme will improve the pedestrian and cycling experience and make it easier for people using public transport.”
Earlier this month Daily Focus reported how motorists had called for clarity over the launch date of the new traffic measure.
Road users said they were puzzled by conflicting signs – some suggesting the bus gate was up and running already, others indicating it was not in use.
A spokesperson for the city council said: “The bus gate is pivotal in providing safe access for public transport users, cyclists, and pedestrians. Activating the bus gate is a positive step in our wider plans to enhance the gateway to the city.
“The consultation on the bus gate proposal was carried out in October 2021 and Stoke-on-Trent City Council has designed the scheme to maintain access to local businesses while improving facilities for public transport, pedestrians, and cyclists, in line with the consultation feedback we received.
“Further consultation was conducted in July 2022 on a wider package of proposals as part of the Transforming Cities Fund scheme between the train station and the city centre.
“This will see cycle lanes provided on the upper part of College Road and Regent Road, with no traffic restrictions on this part of the route. The Transforming Cities Fund is a national competitive fund that focuses on sustainable transport improvements.”
Not all people who work at the university live within the city of Stoke on Trent. Many live out in the Staffordshire Moorlands or the county itself where bus services are non existent or so irregular they are of little use to commuters. Therefore the car is the only option.
Where we are commuters supposed to park to leave their car and find a direct connecting bus service to the University? Has this been addressed at the same time? At best it will increase the cost of commuting by both additional car parking charges and bus tickets. Not to mention the increased commute time.
And the emissions will be moved to some other location not eliminated.!
Has this really bee thought through?
All the bus network not just the City but all the surrounding networks need to be upgraded with funding the same as in London. That would be called levelling up!! Once the upgrades were in place you could then put in numereous bus gates in the City!!
What use is a cycle lane if you live in Market Drayton or Leek – these regressives will not be happy until cars are banned altogether to remove the freedom of movement and choice.
What is the next stage? 5mph limit preceded by a person with a red flag or just price the motorist out through taxation?