It’s thumbs up for improvements

PLANS to improve transport in St Ives have been overwhelmingly endorsed by the public in a recent consultation exercise. The proposals included improvements to cycling facilities, the siting of bus stops, road safety schemes, and changes associated with t

PLANS to improve transport in St Ives have been overwhelmingly endorsed by the public in a recent consultation exercise.

The proposals included improvements to cycling facilities, the siting of bus stops, road safety schemes, and changes associated with town centre development and the arrival of the guided bus project in three years' time.

Asked to rank the eight components of the plans in order, respondents said safety schemes on key routes and junctions should be given priority, followed by improvements to pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities and safety schemes on residential roads.

St Ivians thought more cycle parking facilities, improvements to the town centre and better bus stops least desirable.

Many respondents derided a plan to ban right-hand turns from St Audrey Lane in Needingworth Road as likely to increase traffic in Pig Lane (where further traffic calming measures were supported), and complained that traffic flow would be restricted by the new guided bus crossing of Harrison Way.

They urged improvements to East Street and North Road to allow easier access for buses, and demanded that traffic calming measures planned for the Green Leys area should be extended into Paragon Road.

There was also support for removing some disabled parking in the town centre, while adding no further parking restrictions in the area.

A revised strategy, incorporating the outcome of the consultation, will follow.