Completion of Newbury’s Parkway scheme will provide the opportunity to carry out some long-awaited traffic aspirations for the town.

Parkway is scheduled for completion in Spring next year. We (WBC) want to be ready to put the improvements in place when that happens, so the following proposals are going before the Council’s Executive on 18 February. The aim is to further enhance Newbury’s unique town centre to the benefit of shoppers, visitors and businesses alike.

First, there has been a strong public wish to see buses removed from the pedestrianised areas of town. With new bus stops created in Park Way, and walkways through to Northbrook Street, we will at last be able to do that. This will create a virtually traffic-free environment during the day, in line with many other towns.  
(Access only for emergency vehicles, bullion vans, and postal services.)

Buses would use Park Way instead, and Park Way bridge would become two-way, controlled by traffic signals. Taxis, buses, and cyclists would be able to use the bridge in both directions.  At present they can only go southbound across it.
(Advance cycle stop lines will help cyclists crossing the bridge)

New facilities for taxis and their customers would see the creation of three new taxi ranks to replace the existing one, with 17 extra taxi spaces.  The current twelve spaces in the non-public ‘feeder’ rank in Wharf Street would be converted into a public rank to replace the 4-space one in Market Place. Taxis would be able to turn there instead of  going through Market Place. There is already a new 5-space rank in Market Street, and there would be another 4-space one created in Park Way.

To help maintain traffic flows, the pedestrianisation zone end time would change from 6pm to 5pm  Pedestrianisation begins at 10am which leaves the zone open for morning commuters.  There is a firm belief that the proposed time move could help evening commuters in a similar way.

In addition, the Executive will be asked to approve ‘no loading’ in Wharf Street outside the museum, to avoid congestion there and encourage deliveries to Market Place outside pedestrian times. They will also be asked to agree to keeping traffic arrangements at West Street as they are, with the Broadway not being included in the pedestrian zone.

Quoted from Administrator

(Access only for emergency vehicles, bullion vans, and postal services.)

Oooh goody..... Bullion vans!

Not sure about bringing forward the time when cars can go through the area from 6pm to 5pm.  If the whole 'Pedestrian Zone' thing is such a great idea to ensure safety of those pedestrians... Why allow cars to travel through it at the times when there's probably the most amout of pedestrian movement during the week?

Quoted from spartacus

Not sure about bringing forward the time when cars can go through the area from 6pm to 5pm.  If the whole 'Pedestrian Zone' thing is such a great idea to ensure safety of those pedestrians... Why allow cars to travel through it at the times when there's probably the most amout of pedestrian movement during the week?

I've always thought the highstreet to be quiet at that time of day.  Shops start the wind down around 17:00 anyway.  Who else has been caught by the doorman standing guard at WH Smith at 17:25, preventing access!  

Seems like a vaguely sensible scheme - but they will still need to sort out the Wharf Road / Bear Lane junction. At least there will be a way to escape from the Wharf by going north across the bridge when the normal gridlock occurs.  Mind you the taxis and buses stuck in the jam won't be too happy.

Quoted from blackdog

Seems like a vaguely sensible scheme - but they will still need to sort out the Wharf Road / Bear Lane junction. At least there will be a way to escape from the Wharf by going north across the bridge when the normal gridlock occurs.  Mind you the taxis and buses stuck in the jam won't be too happy.

I read it as only taxis and buses could go North even when two way. How they will get through a blocked southbound bridge one can only guess.

I doubt very much it will get blocked, once general traffic is removed.

Quoted from brian

I read it as only taxis and buses could go North even when two way. How they will get through a blocked southbound bridge one can only guess.

According to Newbury Sound general traffic will not be able to use the bridge at all.

Quoted from brian

I read it as only taxis and buses could go North even when two way. How they will get through a blocked southbound bridge one can only guess.

Good point - wishful thinking on my part.  

Quoted from Greenham Common

I doubt very much it will get blocked, once general traffic is removed.

What general traffic is being removed? The proposal adds buses and taxis to the traffic that is already there. There will be some effect of having a large car park in Park Way - but somehow I doubt that it will reduce traffic in Wharf Road.

Quoted from blackdog

What general traffic is being removed? The proposal adds buses and taxis to the traffic that is already there. There will be some effect of having a large car park in Park Way - but somehow I doubt that it will reduce traffic in Wharf Road.

I think the text in article is misleading. I understand that the general public will not have right of way over the bridge - at least during the day, if not totally.  It is during the day when traffic is at its worst and you get the gridlock at Bear lane.

The original information from WBC does not make it clear.

Joe public will not be able to use the bridge at all unless he/she is a pedestrian or a cyclist.

The bridge will be restricted to buses, taxis, and post vans at all times.

The intention is I believe that there will be no buses at all in Northbrook Street even outside the pedestianised hours.

Also the taxi rank in the Market Place will cease to exist. The taxi rank will be moved to the Wharf, which apparently at the moment is a "feeder lane" and not a taxi rank.

This will alleviate the accidents on the rising bollards, because they will only need to operate for emergency vehicles during the hours of pedestrianisation.

Once a bus route is established you don't want to be flicking from ParkWay to Northbrook Street depending on what time of the day it is.... you'll confuse all the old dears on where they should be waiting........

As for Wharf Road leading onto Bear Lane being busy, the only traffic this will get will be vehicles coming out of the car parks and any buses/taxis that may be coming over the bridge. So that should reduce the number of vehicles on the road even during the busy periods.

And the Wharf taxi stacking area is only MEANT to be used for that.... Stacking/waiting for taxis. They are not permitted to pick up customers from there. That would be unfair on those taxis that get called through to the 'front of queue' on the Market Place rank.

Quoted from spartacus

As for Wharf Road leading onto Bear Lane being busy, the only traffic this will get will be vehicles coming out of the car parks and any buses/taxis that may be coming over the bridge. So that should reduce the number of vehicles on the road even during the busy periods.

WBC traffic management at its best. Too many jams - close the road. No jams. Simples.

Quoted from spartacus

And the Wharf taxi stacking area is only MEANT to be used for that.... Stacking/waiting for taxis. They are not permitted to pick up customers from there. That would be unfair on those taxis that get called through to the 'front of queue' on the Market Place rank.

There won't be a taxi rank in the Market Place during the hours of pedestrianisation. The taxi rank will be in the Wharf. The taxi facility in the Wharf will be rearranged to enable the taxis to turn round and go back out again without leaving through the Wharf Street bollards and the Market Place.

ANPR will be used to fine drivers who drive illegally over the bridge.

So how will Taxis be able to drop off or pick the elderly, the slightly infirm, the disabled etc at their Banks, or at the Corn Exchange, or at one of the cafes in the market place during the day? Are we going to have old folk staggering about on zimmer frames in all weathers trying to remember where the taxi rank now is? Or was that part of the plan when the travel tokens were taken away, you know, keep them indoors etc..

Threep.

Quoted from BrianB

There won't be a taxi rank in the Market Place during the hours of pedestrianisation. The taxi rank will be in the Wharf. The taxi facility in the Wharf will be rearranged to enable the taxis to turn round and go back out again without leaving through the Wharf Street bollards and the Market Place.

Didn't make it clear but I was trying to clarify the CURRENT position on the taxi feeder rank on Wharf St.  Taxi drivers are not permitted to collect fares from there.  However, they often get people staggering from the kebab vans and into the back seat and then have no end of trouble getting them out and trying to tell them they have to stagger back into the Market Place if they want a taxi..........

This change will resolve that situation.....

Quoted from spartacus

Didn't make it clear but I was trying to clarify the CURRENT position on the taxi feeder rank on Wharf St.  Taxi drivers are not permitted to collect fares from there.  

WHAT!!! Tell a customer to walk 100 yards round the corner[ in this weather?]...Dont be silly.....a rank is a rank...and first taxi is not gonna do that......believe me,customers are scarce,and your method would make em scarcer !

That's the current methodology which the Taxi Association have signed up to and should be ensuring is complied with.....  A rank is a rank but that area you refer to is NOT a rank, it's nothing more than a queueing area and taxis should not be plying for trade from there.....

Quoted from spartacus

That's the current methodology which the Taxi Association have signed up to and should be ensuring is complied with.....  A rank is a rank but that area you refer to is NOT a rank, it's nothing more than a queueing area and taxis should not be plying for trade from there.....

That area IS a rank[thursday and saturday],and commonsense tells one to use it as a rank on other days[i.e. first taxi waiting to go to the m.place may take a "walk-up"]......simples

So Wharf St collections at this 'rank' could scoop up fares as they stumbled from the kebab van, then drive out through Market Place past the four taxis that are legitimatly waiting at 'the head of queue'?  Called queue-jumping isn't it....?

Not very british..... Still, how many bleedin' Johnny foreigner taxi drivers do we have these days, so probably accepted practice...

Quoted from spartacus

Still, how many bleedin' Johnny foreigner taxi drivers do we have these days, so probably accepted practice...

That's little harsh on the Welsh one (Taffy) isn't it?

Threep.

Quoted from spartacus

So Wharf St collections at this 'rank' could scoop up fares as they stumbled from the kebab van, then drive out through Market Place past the four taxis that are legitimatly waiting at 'the head of queue'?  Called queue-jumping isn't it....?

Not very british..... Still, how many bleedin' Johnny foreigner taxi drivers do we have these days, so probably accepted practice...

Get your facts right,please.....when this "feeder" rank came into use,the TAXI ASSOCIATION" AGREED WITH WBC to allow customers to choose[yes...choose] whether to hire a taxi from the wharf RANK or walk to the m.place.....Q.E.D.

Quoted from Uncle

or walk to the m.place.....Q.E.D.

Don't do that, quod erat demonstrandum confuses dodgy.


Threep.

To help maintain traffic flows, the pedestrianisation zone end time would change from 6pm to 5pm...........


And I suppose WBC are about to claim this is their idea, when we have been campaigning for this to ease traffic flow since the inception of the pedestrianisation. I can remember them digging their heels in saying it was "too dangerous" to pedestrians to open it up earlier, even though the town is almost clear of shoppers by then!

Well done WBC, it's only taken nearly 10 year's to see sense!

Quoted from LocalRes

And I suppose WBC are about to claim this is their idea, when we have been campaigning for this to ease traffic flow since the inception of the pedestrianisation. I can remember them digging their heels in saying it was "too dangerous" to pedestrians to open it up earlier, even though the town is almost clear of shoppers by then!

Well done WBC, it's only taken nearly 10 year's to see sense!

Who is "we" and what form have the campaigns taken?

Quoted from user23.3

Who is "we" and what form have the campaigns taken?

We all queued in traffic for the grand master to view who told us there was no problem.
We wrote placards to march on the WBC offices but there were no parking spaces left so that idea was abandoned.
When we did finally get through, there was a lot of white stuff on the ground and there was nobody at work in the council offices.

Quoted from brian

We all queued in traffic for the grand master to view who told us there was no problem.
We wrote placards to march on the WBC offices but there were no parking spaces left so that idea was abandoned.
When we did finally get through, there was a lot of white stuff on the ground and there was nobody at work in the council offices.

Seriously though, I've heard of no campaign about this before today.

Quoted from user23.3

Seriously though, I've heard of no campaign about this before today.

http://westberkslibdems.org.uk/news/000225/lib_dems_demand_buses_out_of_northbrook_street.html

Maybe you were busy counting your fat pension.

'Bullion Vans'
I misread it as boullion and thought -great idea, soup vans to feed the poor souls suffering from exhauston from walking all the way from Park Way.
Bringing forward the time from 6pm to 5pm, will the Council bring forward their evening parking charges to match?

Quoted from Meddler

http://westberkslibdems.org.uk/news/000225/lib_dems_demand_buses_out_of_northbrook_street.html

Maybe you were busy counting your fat pension.

That's just buses not all (bar essential) traffic, it's different.

What make you think I'm retired?

Quoted from user23.3

That's just buses not all (bar essential) traffic, it's different.

What make you think I'm retired?

Nice manoeuvre. The bus ban came when the Supreme Leader banished the market traders from the market in 2007 so he could complete the People's Plaza.

A few were moaning, but WBC could draw on the Vision 'consultation ' in 2002 when only a minority wanted buses removed.

PS I don't think you're retired. But you should consider it. The WBC website is such a masterpiece I don't think it can be bettered.

Quoted from user23.3

Who is "we" and what form have the campaigns taken?

Many members of the NRA did not want the pedestrianisation in the first place.
A compromise was suggested to WBC to open up the road to allow traffic from 5pm so those travelling north/south or vice versa in the morning (up until 10am) could do so again on their way home, thus relieving some rush hour traffic in the early evening.

This was some 11 years ago.  Were you not here then, chose to ignore it, or have a short memory?  

Quoted from old codger

'Bullion Vans'
-great idea, soup vans to feed the poor souls suffering from exhauston from walking all the way from Park Way.

All the way? Funny.

Quoted from LocalRes

Many members of the NRA did not want the pedestrianisation in the first place.
A compromise was suggested to WBC to open up the road to allow traffic from 5pm so those travelling north/south or vice versa in the morning (up until 10am) could do so again on their way home, thus relieving some rush hour traffic in the early evening.

This was some 11 years ago.  Were you not here then, chose to ignore it, or have a short memory?  

I think you might have given yourself away there "LocalRes", I presume you're a member of the NRA too.

Firstly from what you say this wasn't a campaign it was a discussion had 11 years ago and secondly it doesn't seem to include the changes to the bus routes.

Quoted from user23.3

I think you might have given yourself away there "LocalRes", I presume you're a member of the NRA too.

Firstly from what you say this wasn't a campaign it was a discussion had 11 years ago and secondly it doesn't seem to include the changes to the bus routes.

As Local Res says WBC chose to ignore it and try and tell everyone the rows of cars weren't a traffic jam!! SNAFU

Quoted from user23.3

I think you might have given yourself away there "LocalRes", I presume you're a member of the NRA too.

Are you implying that this is a problem?

Quoted from user23.3

I think you might have given yourself away there "LocalRes", I presume you're a member of the NRA too.

Firstly from what you say this wasn't a campaign it was a discussion had 11 years ago and secondly it doesn't seem to include the changes to the bus routes.

You obviously were not there then, and you presume far too much, without knowing any facts!

What am I supposed to have given away - don't presume anything, as you are usually wrong, as you are this time, on all counts!
And did I ever refer to changes in bus routes in this thread (or any other)? I think not!

Perhaps you better read the posts properly before replying......

Quoted from LocalRes

we have been campaigning for this to ease traffic flow since the inception of the pedestrianisation.

Quoted from LocalRes

Many members of the NRA did not want the pedestrianisation in the first place.

Quoted from LocalRes

Perhaps you better read the posts properly before replying......

I did, "we" quite clearly seems to refer to the NRA and you infer you are a member.

No need to be so rude about being outed as a member.

Quoted from Bartholomew

Are you implying that this is a problem?

Not at all. I presume you might also be a member too, owning a shop in Newbury?

Quoted from user23.3

No need to be so rude about being outed as a member.Not at all. I presume you might also be a member too, owning a shop in Newbury?

Wrong on both counts

Quoted from user23.3

you infer you are a member.

Wrong again - you were the one that was doing the inferring. 'Infer' (correctly used) doesn't mean what you obviously think it means.

Quoted from user23.3

No need to be so rude about being outed as a member.Not at all. I presume you might also be a member too, owning a shop in Newbury?

Watch out that somebody doesn't 'out' you as you seem to be taking some sort of gleeful and possibly spiteful pleasure from what you think is a clever deduction.

Quoted from brian

Watch out that somebody doesn't 'out' you as you seem to be taking some sort of gleeful and possibly spiteful pleasure from what you think is a clever deduction.

"Spiteful pleasure" is a bit of a rude thing to say, it's not like it's an illegal organisation. I'm just trying to establish who he means when he says "we" since he doesn't seem to want to answer the question.

My conclusion was a fairly logical one after he posted this.

"we have been campaigning for this to ease traffic flow since the inception of the pedestrianisation... Many members of the NRA did not want the pedestrianisation in the first place."

All he needs to do is say who he meant by "we" if not the NRA and we can all move on.

Quoted from user23.3

"Spiteful pleasure" is a bit of a rude thing to say, it's not like it's an illegal organisation. I'm just trying to establish who he means when he says "we" since he doesn't seem to want to answer the question.

Why do you say it is rude? It is a true statement of the style of many of your postings!! Embarrassing for you perhaps but a very accurate comment from Brian!

Quoted from user23.3

All he needs to do is say who he meant by "we" if not the NRA and we can all move on.

The general public - you know the poor mugs that have to pay your wages!!

Quoted from user23.3

"Spiteful pleasure" is a bit of a rude thing to say, it's not like it's an illegal organisation. I'm just trying to establish who he means when he says "we" since he doesn't seem to want to answer the question.

My conclusion was a fairly logical one after he posted this.

"we have been campaigning for this to ease traffic flow since the inception of the pedestrianisation... Many members of the NRA did not want the pedestrianisation in the first place."

All he needs to do is say who he meant by "we" if not the NRA and we can all move on.

Is it possible that he might be an ex member of the NRA but why should he impart this information to all and sundry at your suggestion. If you want confirmation then you tell him who you are and he might tell you who he is. On the other hand, I can't speak for him so he might not.

Quoted from user23.3

"we have been campaigning for this to ease traffic flow since the inception of the pedestrianisation... Many members of the NRA did not want the pedestrianisation in the first place."

All he needs to do is say who he meant by "we" if not the NRA and we can all move on.

What are you, the word police? Before you demand you should have followed the correct procedure; "You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you may later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence"  He still has a right to silence though  

What difference does it make who 'we' are?

Quoted from Bartholomew

Wrong on both counts

Correction. Wrong on all three counts!

Quoted from 133

What difference does it make who 'we' are?

His claim lacks substance without backing up who he is speaking of when he says "we". The only group he's referred to is the NRA so far.

I'm just asking if this isn't the group who "have been campaigning for this to ease traffic flow since the inception of the pedestrianisation" then who is he talking about because I haven't heard of any such campaign.

It's quite simple really and shouldn't be difficult to answer. Who's he talking about when he says "we"?

Quoted from user23.3

His claim lacks substance without backing up who he is speaking of when he says "we". The only group he's referred to is the NRA so far.

I'm just asking if this isn't the group who "have been campaigning for this to ease traffic flow since the inception of the pedestrianisation" then who is he talking about because I haven't heard of any such campaign.

It's quite simple really and shouldn't be difficult to answer. Who's he talking about when he says "we"?

As I said US the general public who pay your fecking salary!! And get poor service in return.

Quoted from user23.3

"Spiteful pleasure" is a bit of a rude thing to say, it's not like it's an illegal organisation. I'm just trying to establish who he means when he says "we" since he doesn't seem to want to answer the question.

My conclusion was a fairly logical one after he posted this.

"we have been campaigning for this to ease traffic flow since the inception of the pedestrianisation... Many members of the NRA did not want the pedestrianisation in the first place."

All he needs to do is say who he meant by "we" if not the NRA and we can all move on.

"We" (plural) in this case is a collection or a group of people, not nearly all in the NRA I might add, but it included many of them who were/are!  Yes, members of the general public, whatever their status, gender, occupation - if that matters! I stated that "Many members of the NRA.....", which does not preclude others, it does not say "only", nor does it infer I am a member, only you have done that!

YOU are the one who highlighted "we" and put it together with NRA.
I do not have to give YOU an explanation of who I refer to, but I have, so are you happy now!  Whatever next, a list of names?

Now it's your turn to answer, "What am I supposed to have given away?"

I have already stated on TWO occasions that I do not belong to NRA, and you still presume - wrongly!
"What am I supposed to have given away - don't presume anything, as you are usually wrong, as you are this time, on all counts!"

Your the only one who does think your conclusions are logical, most think they are irrational.
(I suppose you want to know who "most" are, now!)  Try reading some of the posts, then you'll know!

Stop inferring and presuming, and stick to facts, then you will not have reason to "infer" or "presume" others are being rude to you!
And by the way, my name is not "he". Manners!

Quoted from user23.3

I'm just asking if this isn't the group who "have been campaigning for this to ease traffic flow since the inception of the pedestrianisation" then who is he talking about because I haven't heard of any such campaign.

Who is the "I" that is asking this? I infer from your statement that you haven't heard of this campaign that you are an employee of WBC?

Quoted from Bartholomew

Who is the "I" that is asking this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCfyOXJf3ZM&feature=related

Quoted from Bartholomew

Who is the "I" that is asking this? I infer from your statement that you haven't heard of this campaign that you are an employee of WBC?

The "I" is singular and refers to me, that's fairly obvious.

When one uses a plural in a statement such as "we think this" it's always best to clarify who the "we" is and for whom they claim to speak on behalf of.

Anyway this seems to be way off topic and he's clarified who he was speaking for, so no need to dwell on this any more.

Quoted from user23.3

The "I" is singular and refers to me, that's fairly obvious.

When one uses a plural in a statement such as "we think this" it's always best to clarify who the "we" is and for whom they claim to speak on behalf of.

Anyway this seems to be way off topic and he's clarified who he was speaking for, so no need to dwell on this any more.

No, I agree. We'll avoid the distraction started a while ago to move away from the main topic. (The "we" is you and me by the way)

Quoted from Bartholomew

No, I agree. We'll avoid the distraction started a while ago to move away from the main topic. (The "we" is you and me by the way)

And yet you don't seem to have.

So, do you think this is a good idea then, the change to the town centre traffic management?

Quoted from Uncle

WHAT!!! Tell a customer to walk 100 yards round the corner[ in this weather?]...Dont be silly.....a rank is a rank...and first taxi is not gonna do that......believe me,customers are scarce,and your method would make em scarcer !

Is it true that custom is scarce, or is it that we have too many taxi's for the number of fares available?

Quoted from user23.3

And yet you don't seem to have.

So, do you think this is a good idea then, the change to the town centre traffic management?

So do you think it is a good idea then? and should it not have been implemented when suggested ages ago??

Common sense may prevail in the end, but 11 - 12 years is a long time to wait!

Quoted from LocalRes

Is it true that custom is scarce, or is it that we have too many taxi's for the number of fares available?

Well,its a bit of both.....Newbury is going through a phase of progress which is sending customers to other ways of shopping,and spending,while E.U. laws will allow anyone to have a taxi,regardless of the state of the market in the area,,,,,,

Quoted from Uncle

Well,its a bit of both.....Newbury is going through a phase of progress which is sending customers to other ways of shopping,and spending,while E.U. laws will allow anyone to have a taxi,regardless of the state of the market in the area,,,,,,

EU laws?  I thought it was a bity of straightforward free market economics - Thatcherism/Blairism in action.