Scheme to link Gloucester city centre and quays gets underway (From Stroud News and Journal)

Scheme to link Gloucester city centre and quays gets underway

12:20pm Thursday 4th February 2010

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Work is about to start on the next stage of the £7million Gloucester Linkages project.

Contractors Balfour Beatty Regional Civil Engineering will move onto the site during week commencing February 15th in preparation for work beginning on February 24th.

The project will connect Gloucester city centre with the historic docks and the Gloucester Quays development.

It will improve walking and cycling routes between the two areas and will better direct traffic around the city.

Gloucestershire County Council is responsible for £2.1 million worth of improvements along the Kimbrose Triangle and Southgate Street section.

The council’s project will involve laying high quality paving between the County Court at Kimbrose Triangle and the existing pedestrianised section of Southgate Street at its junction with Longsmith Street.

At Kimbrose Way a public square is to be introduced which vehicles will be permitted to pass through under a shared space concept where drivers will be expected to give way to pedestrians.

Southgate Street from Kimbrose Triangle up to Longsmith Street will become a pedestrianised area, but Park & Ride buses will continue to operate here.

In order for the structural changes to take place, temporary traffic management will need to be in place while the work is carried out.

When the work starts on February 24th, the first operation will be to make Ladybellegate Street two-way in order to permit deliveries to Southgate Street when the lower part of Southgate Street is closed. Temporary traffic signals will be used during construction.

The priority on Longsmith Street will be changed to one way in the direction of Southgate Street to facilitate deliveries.

This will be closely followed by the closure of Southgate Street between Longsmith Street and Commercial Road.

Park and Ride bus stops will be transferred to Ladybellegate Street and traffic will continue round Kimbrose Triangle during this period.

Kimbrose Way closure will now be delayed to mid-April as the contractor will work in the area with single file traffic.

When Kimbrose Way is closed, the scheduled bus service will turn right into Parliament Street and the Southgate bus stop will be moved into Parliament Street on a permanent basis.

Park and Ride northbound will be diverted on a route yet to be agreed.

It is hoped that Kimbrose Way will reopen to two-way traffic toward the end of June and the southbound route round the triangle will be closed.

Work is expected to finish in November 2010.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, cabinet member for planning and regeneration, said: “This is a major project for Gloucester and one that will transform the transport links near the historic docks.

“Gloucestershire County Council is committed to doing all it can to aid the regeneration of Gloucester and this scheme forms an integral part of our plans.

“There is a considerable amount of work to be done here and I know this will cause some traffic disruption, but please be assured we will do all we can to keep this to a minimum.

“I would ask people to be patient while the work is carried out and to keep in mind what a boost to the city it will be when it is finished.”

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, county councillor for Westgate, said: “The Gloucester Quays Linkages project will considerably boost the quality of the public realm between Gloucester Quays and the City Centre.

“During the construction period there will inevitably be frustration about the affect the works will have on businesses in Southgate Street and Kimbrose Triangle.

“However, the end result will be a superb improvement to this part of the city once it is finished. I hope our contractors can do the work with minimal disruption to businesses trading in the area.

“The end result will make many people proud of our city.”

Cllr Pam Tracey, county councillor for Westgate, said: “I am very excited to see this work starting.

“Anything that helps attract people back into the city, particularly during the nights, is a bonus and I hope that when they look at the next stages, parking provision is a key point.”

Councillor Paul James, Leader of Gloucester City Council, added: "This is another real and very visible addition to the regeneration of Gloucester that is turning us into a modern 21st century city.

“These improvements will bring undoubted benefits and we all look forward to seeing them completed."

Chris Foley, Head of Regeneration, South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) said: “It’s great news work is starting on this really important part of Gloucester’s regeneration.

“A safe, attractive walking and cycling route between the newly developed docks and the city centre will encourage visitors to head into town from the newly developed Gloucester Quays.

“This will ensure businesses across the city share in the success of the area, which is enjoying a huge increase in visitor numbers since the opening of the new retail outlet.”

Chris Oldershaw, Chief Executive of Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company (GHURC), said: “This work will ensure that the retailers within the City Centre benefit from the regeneration within the Docks and Quays by improving the road and pedestrian links between them.”

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