A BUS gate is proposed for Smith Drive in Orford as part of new council plans to tackle traffic issues in the area.

The proposal is the latest local traffic neighbourhood proposal for the area after a previous one on Hallfields Road was dropped in the summer.

As reported in the Warrington Guardian yesterday, Tuesday, Hallfields Road will have speed bumps and a new 20mph zone if plans are agreed.

Warrington Borough Council now says a second proposal is being put forward for the Smith Drive area.

The proposed interventions for the ‘Smith Drive Area Experimental LTN’ are:

• Modal filter (planters) on Hallows Avenue - east of Lyndale Avenue junction

• Modal filter (planters) on Withers Avenue - east of Halsall Avenue junction

• Bus Gate on Smith Drive – at the junction of Stapleton Avenue and Smith Drive

Residents living on the west side of the proposed modal filters would be able to access/exit the neighbourhood via Hallfields Road while residents living on the east side of the filters would be able to access/exit the neighbourhood via the A50 Orford Road.

A council spokesman said: "The existing ‘access only’ restrictions across the Smith Drive area have been in place since 1987 which mean that it is illegal for general traffic to travel through the area.

"These types of restrictions can only be enforced by the police. Due to the pressure on police resources, enforcement is rarely a priority and the traffic restrictions have not been enforced consistently throughout the years."

A council survey states that

• 71% of daily vehicular trips on Hallows Avenue and Smith Drive, and 79% of trips on Withers Avenue, are due to through traffic.

• This accounts for over 2,600 vehicles running daily along Smith Drive and about 1,350 vehicles on Withers Avenue.

The spokesman added: "These through traffic trips are already committing an offence by using this area as a short cut.

"Implementing the Smith Drive LTN scheme would remove this through traffic from the neighbourhood. This is intended to improve conditions for those living, walking and cycling within the area, with reduced traffic noise, better air quality and improved road safety.

"The Bus Gate restriction on Smith Drive would be enforced by an ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) camera installed on the street. This would allow buses, taxis, emergency vehicles, and cyclists to pass through while private vehicles would need to re-route."

The council is now seeking people’s views on the newly proposed Smith Drive LTN scheme, which replaces the previous Orford LTN proposals. A feedback survey, to collect people’s comments, will be open for over four weeks, from tomorrow, Thursday,  November 17 until Friday, December 16 (5pm).

Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet member for transportation, highways and public realm, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: “We remain committed, as part of our Central 6 Regeneration Masterplan, to making our air cleaner and making our streets quieter and safer for residents, pedestrians and cyclists. We can only achieve this by proposing interventions which reduce traffic levels.

“As with all of our LTN plans so far, we also remain committed to listening to the views of local people and addressing their concerns about the proposals we are putting forward. These revised plans for the Orford LTN are a reflection of this, providing an alternative option that will still bring positive outcomes for local residents and neighbourhoods, while taking on board the feedback we have received so far.

“Please let us know your views on our plans by completing the survey. We will collect and examine the feedback we receive to gauge the level of support for the new proposals - and we will fully consider all views shared before we decide whether to proceed with the trial scheme or not.”