Following the feedback from the December 2020 consultation, and additional surveys and monitoring carried out in 2021,a number of permanent changes are proposed at three locations in the town centre:

• Winmarleigh Street
• Barbauld Street
• Academy Way Part 2

Further details of what is proposed at these three locations is set out below:

Winmarleigh Street

At the northern end of Winmarleigh Street, a left-turn ban was installed to prevent vehicles from turning left onto Sankey Street and discourage through movements.  A cycle lane was also installed to help cyclists travelling towards Sankey Street.

The December 2020 consultation highlighted the need to undertake additional monitoring of this scheme. ANPR surveys were undertaken in 2001 which identified that the level of rat-running through the town centre from Wilson Patten Street to Liverpool Road via Winmarleigh Street was very low, with a only a small number of vehicles contravening the left-turn ban on Winmarleigh Street compared to volume of traffic on Wilson Patten Street.  With the number of through-traffic movements along Winmarleigh Street now low, it is now proposed to implement this scheme on a permanent basis with a physical island and permanent signage.

An on-road segregated cycle lane is to be provided to facilitate cyclists travelling north on Winmarleigh Street, with cyclists travelling south directed to use either Arpley Street or Springfield Street. The existing disabled parking bays would also be retained on the eastern side of Winmarleigh Street.

Barbauld Street

The scheme implemented in summer 2020 stopped vehicles travelling southbound from Barbauld Street onto Wilson Patten Street, with only cycles being permitted to undertake this movement.  Vehicles can continue to turn left from Wilson Patten Street onto Barbauld Street to travel northbound, but can not turn right into Barbauld Street when travelling from Bridgefoot.

The proposals aim to minimise vehicle movement along Barbauld Street to support increased pedestrian and cycle movements, particularly those associated with the relocation of the University of Chester.  Buses are able to exit the town centre via Bold Street when the night-time Lower Bridge Street closures are in place.

Following the consultation in December 2020, monitoring was undertaken to assess the success of the scheme.  The monitoring did not highlight any adverse impacts of the temporary scheme and was shown to supports the objective of minimising through traffic in the town centre.  It is therefore proposed to implement this scheme on a permanent basis.

Academy Way Part 2

The existing measures on Academy Way restrict vehicle movements between Moulders Lane and Bridge Street.  The eastbound carriageway forms a bus lane allowing access for buses, taxis and cycles only. The westbound carriageway has been converted into a cycle lane which enables cyclists to travel in both directions.

Part 1 of the scheme included appropriate measures to support the Traffic Regulation Orders in place. However there are further opportunities to improve the streetscape in this area and take advantage of the reduction in traffic.

Part 2 measures include extending the central island, infill of the now unused layby and a review of the loading facilities on Moulders Lane to investigate opportunities to provide additional capacity.

Consultation

A consultation was undertaken in May and June 2022 to gain your feedback on the various changes we're proposing.  The consultation has now closed and a consultation report will be developed to summarise your feedback.

Once complete, the consultation report will be made available on www.warrington.gov.uk/town-centre-active-travel

Information about measures that have already been made permanent

Measures that will remain temporary