Traffic plan is axed (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Traffic plan is axed

IT'S the end of the road for Cirencester's Traffic and Environment Plan. But Cotswold District Council's controlling Conservative group says steps will still be taken to improve the town centre.

The scheme was re-examined as part of a major review on Cotswold District Council's spending.

And, after meeting with project partners Gloucestershire County Council and looking in-depth at the spending implications, the authority decided CTEP was an avenue it didn't wish to continue down.

Plans to redevelop the town's Forum car park were also rejected by the full council on Tuesday.

The decision by CDC to pull out of both schemes will save the authority up to £1.67 million.

Conservative member Cllr Carole Topple said: "There have been divided views across the town for some time.

"It doesn't mean we want to abandon Cirencester. There are certainly things we have to do."

While the Tory group's only Cirencester member Richard Graham added: "We should not assume that just because CTEP is not going ahead that improvements will not take place.

"It's not about whether or not we need a CTEP or not, it's about what is more important for Cirencester."

Councillors voted 28-9 in favour of pulling out of CTEP, although some members, including CTEP chairman Deryck Nash, were vociferous in their support of the scheme.

Phase two of the project would have seen the reversal of the one way system in Dyer Street and Lewis Lane, along with changes in the London Road area and the introduction of a public transport interchange at The Forum.

Phase three would have seen the partial pedestrianisation of the Market Place.

Cllr Nash paid tribute to councillors, officers and organisations who have worked on the scheme over the last nine years.

He said: "I am personally disappointed that CTEP is not going to go ahead.

"I want to be able to say that in 30 years time, that those who voted against CTEP voted to keep Cirencester as it is.

"They didn't vote for any improvement to the street scene or any improvement to Cirencester."

While Independent Phil Coleman, who has lived in the town all his life, added: "Cirencester is looking very tired. I think the biggest mistake made (with CTEP) was working from the outside in. We should have worked from the inside out."

Groups such as the town's civic society, Cirencester Town Council, Action Cirencester and Kingshill School, campaigned to save the scheme. A residents' petition was also handed to CDC.

But, last month, in a Standard phone poll, readers voted against the scheme.

Despite the withdrawal, council leader Julie Girling says she has been given assurances by project leaders the county council, that the authority will continue to plough money into other Cirencester improvements.