Some Warwick town centre road changes to be removed this week

The changes were introduced in June
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Some of the road changes to Warwick town centre will be removed this week.

The changes were part of the roadspace allocation scheme which was implemented in the town in June by Warwickshire County Council to help with social distancing measures.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Initially the scheme, which included one-way systems and road closures, was met with anger from residents and businesses but the council made some alterations which have continued until now.

The roadspace allocation schemeincluded one-way systems and road closures. Photo submittedThe roadspace allocation schemeincluded one-way systems and road closures. Photo submitted
The roadspace allocation schemeincluded one-way systems and road closures. Photo submitted
Read More
Warwick town centre road changes 'killing the town'

Several measures will be removed this week. The alterations are as follows:

Swan Street - Swan Street has been reopened to traffic. The daytime closure of Swan Street was introduced as part of the measures designed to create space for social distancing.

High Street / Jury Street / The Butts - The one-way measures on High Street / Jury Street / The Butts, cycle lane on Banbury Road / Castle Hill and the complementary measures on Castle Lane are also being removed in light of increasing traffic volumes in the town.

The roadspace allocation schemeincluded one-way systems and road closures. Photo submittedThe roadspace allocation schemeincluded one-way systems and road closures. Photo submitted
The roadspace allocation schemeincluded one-way systems and road closures. Photo submitted
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is anticipated that these changes will be made before the end of the week, with Thursday evening a target.

The cycle lane on Banbury Road / Castle Hill and the one-way restriction on High Street / Jury Street were introduced to support active travel by providing part of a key 'missing cycle link' into the town.

This was in line with Government guidance which continues to advise people to walk or cycle wherever possible and to avoid using public transport.

These measures were also designed to provide an environment which was less dominated by traffic in which it would be easier for people to observe social distancing.

The roadspace allocation schemeincluded one-way systems and road closures. Photo submittedThe roadspace allocation schemeincluded one-way systems and road closures. Photo submitted
The roadspace allocation schemeincluded one-way systems and road closures. Photo submitted
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The one-way restriction on The Butts ​and a reversal of the one-way flow on Castle Lane were introduced to support the overall traffic flow around the town.

One-way Restrictions - With traffic beginning to return to near normal levels and delays being experienced on journeys into and across the town centre from the south of Warwick, the decision has been made to remove the one-way restrictions from Warwick. 

Market Place - The weekend closure of Market Place for the Saturday market will be retained.  

The roadspace allocation schemeincluded one-way systems and road closures. Photo submittedThe roadspace allocation schemeincluded one-way systems and road closures. Photo submitted
The roadspace allocation schemeincluded one-way systems and road closures. Photo submitted

"It has been a fast-changing situation in which we have been working at incredible pace to safeguard public health and support economic recovery.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We have been listening to residents, businesses and partners and monitoring the situation carefully and feel that Swan Street should now be reopened to traffic and the one-way restrictions we introduced as part of our initial response to the public health crisis should now be removed.

"We will continue to monitor the situation carefully in Warwick and, if necessary, will take additional steps to safeguard public health which remains of paramount importance.” 

Last week the county council confirmed funding to progress the Warwick Town Centre Improvement Scheme which incorporates changes to traffic flows, including a one-way system which is broadly similar to the restrictions introduced as part of the temporary reallocation measures.

The proposed scheme will also make changes at key gateways to improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists as well as easing traffic flows. ​

Further public and stakeholder engagement will be carried out on the Warwick Town Centre Improvement Scheme over coming months.