A TEMPORARY traffic trial outside Lloyds Bank in Okehampton which involved the controversial removal of one lane is to be made permanent, Okehampton Traffic and Enhancement Group decided this week.
Devon County Council local service officer Mike Parnell said there had been a lot of interest in the temporary works in West Street as part of an £180,000 town centre enhancement, with some people for and some against the scheme.
'The main aim of the whole project has been to make it easier and safer for people, young and old, able and disabled, to walk around the town and enjoy the shops and facilities on offer,' he said.
Reducing the width of the road at West Street had made it easier for people to cross the road, and to achieve this the left turn lane into Market Street had been removed since July on a trial basis.
'There is a perception that the traffic queues have been increased entering the town from the west and that this is not acceptable,' said Mr Parnell. 'However, the monitoring that has been carried out indicates that there is not a significant delay.'
The officer said there was no doubt that it was easier and safer to cross the road at this point and for larger vehicles to turn left into Market Street. It had removed the conflict of HGVs straddling the two lanes to turn left which prevented cars using the left turn lane.
County council contractors are now several weeks into the enhancement of Okehampton's Fore Street and West Street and the work is progressing well. Here is an update of what has been achieved so far:
l The footway outside Peacocks has been widened to give more space to pedestrians and to make it easier for people to use the pedestrian crossing.
l The kerb outside Boots has been moved to give a wider footpath and to improve the existing bus stop and provide a loading bay and two disabled parking spaces between the chemist and The Arcade.
l The traffic island outside the Plume of Feathers has been moved slightly to make it easier for coaches and lorries turning right out of George Street and people crossing the road. York stone will enhance the crossing.
l The bus stop is being moved from outside Forbuoys to the Red Lion Yard end of the layby making it easier for buses to stop and pull away again. A loading bay is also being installed to avoid delivery vehicles parking on the footway outside the town hall and minimise obstructions. Parking will be maintained in the remainder of the layby.
Further works to be undertaken include street lighting, the removal of electric columns at West Bridge and High Street and resurfacing of the entire road from St James Chapel to High Street.
Mr Parnell added that this work would inevitably create some delay in the town centre for a short period, but this would be kept at an absolute minimum.
In addition to this project, a new bridge has been built next to the Ockment Centre providing direct access for pedestrians and cyclists to the central shopping area from the north end of town. It has been funded by a contribution from Lidl, West Devon Council and a European grant.