The proposed order would see an extension of loading and unloading hours in a variety of streets in Bridgend city centre
Plans for an experimental site visitors order to happen in Bridgend city centre will return to the council’s cupboard after they had been referred to as in by a variety of impartial members. The proposed order would see an extension of loading and unloading hours in a variety of streets within the city centre together with Queen Avenue, Dunraven Place, and Market Avenue.
These are presently closed to site visitors between the hours of 6pm and 10am with bollards blocking entry to pedestrianised components of the city since 2004. It will additionally see cyclists allowed throughout the pedestrianised zone with the present and “underused” taxi bays in Derwen Highway set to be transformed to blue badge parking areas.
The proposal to check the steps for a interval of 18 months was authorized by cupboard members in September 2025 after a decade price of calls from native store house owners who requested for some city centre roads to be open on a everlasting foundation to enhance footfall.
Nonetheless members of Bridgend Council’s impartial group referred to as for the choice to be taken again to cupboard as they felt it was not what residents had been asking for with the steps not correctly scrutinised.
Talking at a scrutiny assembly some questioned what distinction the experimental order would truly make to the city as regardless of loading and unloading instances being prolonged automobiles would nonetheless not be allowed to park within the streets.
Others raised considerations over plans to re-introduce biking to the city centre with no additional particulars on how it might look with potential bike lanes or different controls being put in place.
Addressing the chamber Cllr Steven Bletsoe mentioned the longstanding problem was one the authority wanted to get proper, including the trial was not what residents or merchants had been asking for.
He mentioned: “The extension of the time that the barrier is down and never stopping site visitors entering into to city doesn’t truly change something in actuality in our city centre.
“The parking restrictions in Bridgend city centre are loading and unloading solely. You can’t park in Bridgend city centre and go into a store.”
He added: “It doesn’t improve accessibility for many who are craving it.”
Cllr Tim Wooden mentioned whereas he acknowledged it wouldn’t remedy all the issues there have been many retailers crying out for the roads to be opened with additional motion wanted straightaway.
Cllr Owain Clatworthy requested why the trial needed to be carried out over a interval of 18 months versus a 12 months or six months.
In response officers mentioned there needed to be an 18-month order in place by regulation to assist decide what ranges of site visitors might be safely reintroduced to the city.
They famous the council would have powers to make adjustments throughout that point with potential to introduce extra autos and parking because it progressed.
It was additionally made clear that with a purpose to reintroduce site visitors they must reinstate roads and pavements with an estimated price of round £2m.
Cllr Neelo Farr who’s cupboard member for regeneration, financial improvement, and housing mentioned there have been legitimate factors made within the call-in and she or he could be completely happy to take them again for additional dialogue.
Cllr Heidi Bennett mentioned she too supported the transfer and want to see extra work performed to have a look at equality of entry for blue badge holders and the way the authority may be certain individuals may park.
Following debate the plans for the experimental site visitors order had been despatched again to cupboard with a vote of eight members to 2 asking for extra proof to justify the choices that had been made together with extra detailed stories.
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