No end in sight to Newbury traffic "hell"

Council will not allow Northbrook Street or Park Way bridge to be used during Boundary Road closure

NEWBURY’S motorists have been warned to expect nine months of traffic “hell”, but West Berkshire Council has ruled out opening up Northbrook Street to ease the gridlock.

Last week, the Newbury Weekly News revealed that Boundary Road – one of the town’s vital through roads – will shut from January to September 2016 to allow Network Rail to replace the railway bridge ahead of electrification.

The NWN asked you, the readers, what you think the district council should do to mitigate the expected congestion – with many suggesting opening up Northbrook Street and the Park Way bridge.

However, both of these options have been rejected by the council.

Speaking to the NWN this week, West Berkshire Council spokeswoman Peta Stoddart-Crompton said: “Park Way bridge is a single carriageway shuttle working route which could not cope with two-way traffic and buses.

“This we know is not a viable option from the gridlock that was caused when the bridge was open to two-way traffic on a trial basis during town centre works in the past.

“Regarding Northbook Street, the council has a duty of care to all road users, including pedestrians, and road safety is a priority.

“Introducing traffic into the pedestrian zone would create too much of a risk to pedestrians, in particular, those who are vulnerable and those with mobility issues.

“Traffic is currently allowed into Northbrook Street when pedestrian numbers visiting the shops are low in order to lessen the likelihood of accidents.

“Also both vehicle and pedestrian traffic are familiar with the current situation.

“The traffic lights at the A339/ Kings Road/Bear Lane junction have been phased to give the optimum performance in the circumstances, but the additional traffic makes some delays inevitable.

“We will continue to monitor and adjust where possible.”

As previously reported by the NWN, the council has already said it will not allow through traffic to use the new bridge from Hambridge Road to Newbury Racecourse when it opens in November because of a planning condition between itself and racecourse developer David Wilson Homes.

The council says it has a meeting with Network Rail next month to discuss the closure of Boundary Road.