I should like to make the following comments / objections to the proposals for the North Wakefield Gateway.
I am disappointed that the consultation period is so short and is taking place during the peak holiday season when many residents and people who work in the area are away. I would urge the Council to extend the consultation and arrange for public meetings where the proposals can be fully discussed.
Continued here http://www.iport.co.uk/residents-speak-out/
The official council website has been replaced by a PDF link to the leaflet delivered.
This is available here.
The North Wakefield Gateway scheme has been revamped and the official consultation is on until the 6th of August
The main features of the new scheme from the councils official letter, delivered today are.
2 Way traffic flow on Leeds Road,Northgate, Wentworth Street and Bond Street is retained
The southbound turn from Bond Street to Bell Street is provided
Margaret Street is opened up at St Johns Square
The right turn from Marsh way to Saville street is permitted
One way trffic on Wentworth terrace, Andrew Street and the exit from Westfield road
An improved public pedestrian space provided in front of the County Hall building
A bus lane is provided on Leeds road and Northgate
Pedestrian crossings are improved
A long coach parking bay provided on Wentworth Street
There is a a large scale plan at the Town Hall Entrance, Lightwaves foyer and Netwon Bar foyer during July 2010.
Comments and suggestions should go transplan@wakefield.gov.uk
The consultation closes on Friday August 6th 2010
“The Deputy Leader of Wakefield Council has pledged that the proposed one-way system for St John’s in the city centre will be scrapped and has instructed officers to find an alternative solution.”
It will be interesting to see what the new plans will be, the press release does say that local representatives will be involved in any new plans.
This website will remain, watching for further developments.
Thanks to everyone who campaigned and to the councillors who put our views forward
Full release here
There will be a special advice surgery held by Cllr(s) Rhodes at
10am Saturday the 24th October at Wakefield Town hall
An FOI request for
the effects of the North Wakefield gyratory scheme proposals on quality of life in the St John’s area
has been denied by the council because
Section 43(2) which applies to information which, if disclosed, would or would be likely to prejudice commercially interests of the Council and its partners under the Freedom of Information Act.
They now have to refer it to an exemptions panel, which may decide to over rule the denial
As this is a qualified exemption, the Council has to consider the balance of public interest in relation to a request, and therefore it is necessary to extend the 20 working day time limit for issuing a response to this part of your request. A decision on whether or not the information can be released will be taken by the Council’s Exemptions Panel shortly
A freedom of information request for the following has been responded to.
“viability and feasibility of the park and ride scheme at Newton Bar”
This is the document that was released
A couple of interesting things struck me, the accident cluster information showing 4 accidents on Leeds Road/Andrew Street. Andrew street being one of the tiny back roads being turned in to a thoroughfare.
However the council have not looked for accident savings as shown in the document, maybe they should do so for Wentworth terrace, Andrew street and St Johns North etc.
Source: Wakefield MDC
The accident savings have not been calculated, but there is likely to be a significant saving on existing accidents
The consultation leaflets have started to be delivered
The main difference to the plan is to have two lanes and a bus lane, which will mean road widening and the narrowing of paths.
There is a questionnaire, to be returned before 25th September 2009
There is to be a public display in the Ridings on the 4th/5th September 2009 (Upper mall, outside boots)
A second display will be at Newton bar, Lower building car park on Saturday 12th September 2009.
The website is www.northwakefieldgateway.com
I have included new copies of the plan here
I have received the traffic survery information I requested under the FOI act.
It seems to me from my initial look that
The diagrams and a donwload can be found here
Local residents have been busy making the scheme more widely know by placing this leaflet on cars outside St John’s school