Commuters asked for their say on major transport plan (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Plans to improve transport links between Cheltenham and Gloucester

1:00pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News

COMMUTERS still have time to have their say on plans to build a 1,000-space park and ride at Elmbridge Court and improve transport links between Cheltenham and Gloucester.

A wide-ranging consultation was launched into the Elmbridge Transport scheme in January and, although that consultation will end on Monday March 11, residents still have time to make their views known by completing the online survey at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/majorschemes

The changes are designed to encourage commuters to use the bus instead of their cars, to reduce congestion at the surrounding junctions, reduce vehicle emissions and improve traffic flow.

Traffic levels between Cheltenham and Gloucester are already high, something which will increase further in the future. Three key changes have been proposed to lessen congestion including:

• A 1,000 space park and ride site next to Elmbridge Court Business Park, with a regular bus service serving Gloucester city centre and linking to Cheltenham town centre and Arle Court park and ride
• A series of improvements to the Elmbridge Court roundabout to increase its capacity
•  Bus priority measures on the approach to Arle Court roundabout in Cheltenham
  
  The Department for Transport confirmed in December that the council had been awarded £14.1 million towards the overall £18 million the scheme is estimated to cost.

Cllr Chas Fellows, cabinet member for economy and environment said: “We think these proposals would vastly improve congestion between the county’s two biggest urban areas, while reducing reliance on car journeys.

“The consultation has already been very successful, but the more views, the better so I would encourage those residents who haven’t already had their say to do so before the deadline.”