The benefits

General changes

  • Wider pavements
  • New signalised crossings and benches
  • Two new cycle routes to the north and south of the scheme via new active travel corridors along Castle Foregate (north of the station) and Castle Street (south of the station towards the town centre)
  • A new 20mph speed limit throughout the station gyratory area to reduce vehicle speeds and further improve safety for walking and cycling movement
  • Greener streets and spaces that promote and preserve local biodiversity
  • Improving key junctions and access routes into and out of the station gyratory area
  • The reduction in traffic and addition of a footpath along the southern edge of Cross Street will make this a better, safer route for pedestrians

Specific changes

  • The introduction of a two-way cycle lane in Castle Foregate
  • The removal of the left-hand side lane in Castle Foregate to accommodate the two-way cycle lane
  • The removal of the existing bus stop in Smithfield Road
  • The introduction of two-way traffic in Chester Street (one lane on each direction)
  • The alteration of the existing splitter islands in Smithfield Road and Cross Street to accommodate the two-way traffic in Chester Street
  • The removal of one lane in Cross Street under the railway tunnel
  • The introduction of a footway on the left-hand side in Cross Street under the railway tunnel
  • The removal of the right-hand turn in Cross Street onto Castle Foregate
  • The train station entrance will become both an entrance and exit point
  • The train station exit will become entrance only. The exception to this is that large vehicles (such as rail replacement buses) will be able to use the existing exit still as an exit
  • Public realm improvements, including the addition of street furniture such as benches, bins, cycle stands and planters
  • Improved street lighting throughout the scheme
  • Improved traffic signals throughout the gyratory to accommodate all of the changes above