This draft outlines the council's plan for regenerating both Broadmead and Castle Park - some areas fall under our boundary and will affect Old Market. Proposed changes to the transport system will implement some of the suggested improvements.
We fully support the draft plan's mention of improved 'super crossings' on Castle, Penn and Bond streets. As well as this, a new segregated cycle route along Newgate and through Castlemead into St Jude's would greatly improve and reconnect the area to the city centre.
The proposal for a super crossing on Penn Street with bike lanes and an opened-up entrance to Castle Park would greatly improve the welcome Old Market residents receive when entering the centre.
Improving the area around Vaulted Chambers Café is also of great interest to us as this is a danger both in terms of crime and anti-social behaviour as well as traffic conflicts. Project PR6 of our Neighbourhood Plan seeks pedestrianisation.
The pedestrianisation of Penn Street and The Horsehair means some buses will now terminate at Cabot Circus South, the addition of a bus lane will allow buses to overtake those terminating at Cabot Circus South. A kerb build out will give way to a new cycleway and increased footway space.
The new segregated cycleway will continue down Temple Way with parallel crossings on Broad Plain and Avon Street. Avon Street will be converted from left-turn-out-only to right-turn-out-only enabling segregated crossings for all users. A new southbound bus lane will improve bus times.
New cycleway finishes at the shared facility on Temple Gate with new segregated crossings, from Temple Back to Temple back East for example. Bus infrastructure will be altered to allow for overtaking and raised kerbs.
We are supportive of proposals for a cycleway on Lower Castle Street, through the pedestrianisation of Penn Street and the Horsefair.
While the removal of parking for a well-connected city centre is supported, proposed disabled parking on Castle Street is not compliant with Project PR6 of our Neighbourhood Plan in which pedestrianisation is sought. This should be remediated.
The streamlining of bus routes will mean more buses terminating at Cabot Circus South. We are supportive of this as it will surprise easier connections with other services and encourage the use of public transport in the area.