WARRINGTON Borough Council has announced a series of major changes which will see some roads become access-only - with a new bus gate also planned.

The council has revealed the proposals in the Orford and Westy areas under its Central 6 Streets Plan.

This will see ‘low traffic neighbourhoods’ trialled within the town with hopes of cutting off ‘rat runs’ and improving traffic levels, road safety and air pollution.

One of the most drastic changes will see the introduction of a bus gate on Hallfields Road, south of the junction with Withers Avenue – meaning that only coaches, taxis and bicycles will be able to move between the street and O’Leary Street.

The proposed bus lane will be monitored by automatic number plate recognition cameras.

Warrington Guardian:

Elsewhere in Orford, ‘modal filters’ restricting access to streets will be brought in on South Avenue, Mortimer Avenue, Central Avenue, Hale Street, Alder Lane and Fitzherbert Street.

In Westy, this will be applied to Grange Avenue, Griffiths Street and Reynolds Street.

And the one-way system on Broadbent Avenue will be reversed to become westbound only.

Warrington Guardian:

Changes are expected to come into force from Monday, June 20, and will initially be on a temporary basis for a period of 18 months.

WBC’s executive board member for transportation, highways and public realm Cllr Hans Mundry said: “This is a really important project which supports our plans to make the streets in our Central 6 wards cleaner and greener for everyone.

“Through this trial, we can take big steps forward in cutting down on the number of cars moving through residential streets in Orford and Westy, reducing air and noise pollution and transforming the environment into one which is much more pleasant, inclusive and safe for people to walk and cycle.

“Of course, the introduction of these measures means there is likely to be an initial period of some disruption due to the changes in routing and travel habits across the neighbourhoods.

“However, once traffic patterns settle down we are looking forward to seeing huge environmental benefits for the local community.”