One-way route could be scrapped after just eight months

[dutchman]

The change was only introduced in September



A one-way road in Coventry is to be scrapped by the city council just eight months after the system was implemented.

Coventry City Council is proposing to revoke an ‘experimental’ one-way system on Eaton Road, which was initially put in place for a period of 18 months last September.

The changes, which stopped cars turning left from Ringway St Patrick’s clockwise onto Eaton Road, coincided with the station masterplan approval and the increase in off-street parking at Westminster Road.

While the one-way route was intended to make it easier for pedestrians going to the car park area to cross, the move has instead had an impact on traffic flows.

The council has now proposed to scrap the failed scheme, re-open it in both directions, and place a zebra crossing on Eaton Road to assist pedestrians.

Caron Archer, from the council’s traffic management team, said in a report: “The proposed revocation of the one way on Eaton Road, making the road two way, will assist to improve the efficiency of the movement of traffic from the Ringway St Patrick’s clockwise off slip in to the station area.

“A zebra crossing will assist pedestrians to cross Eaton Road.

“This will be done in conjunction with other works on Manor Road and Park Road to improve the general flow of traffic during the Station Masterplan construction phase.”

However, one objection has been made against the proposal, which accuses the council of “failing to address the much wider traffic problems in and around the station”.

The objector, who also calls for planning permission for the station works to be revoked due to “unresolved traffic problems”, states: “Although the proposed left turn is reasonable in principle, it is only going to bring more cars into the station site.

“The council cannot solve the problems of traffic congestion by choking the city with more and more cars. I therefore strongly object to this proposal as it is currently made.”

A decision will be made at a meeting of the cabinet member for city services on Wednesday, May 29, and would come into force on June 14 if agreed.

The cost of the proposed Traffic Regulation Order is £2,350, returning the road to two-way operation is £250, while the cost of the zebra crossing is around £27,000, with all changes funded from within the Coventry Station Masterplan capital.