Gloucester Quays City Centre Link

Designs for new pedestrian links and improvements to the general environment between the Gloucester Quays development and the town centre. These new improvements are called 'The Linkages'

As a result of the opening of the new Gloucester Quays shopping development later this year the need to provide good pedestrian and cycle links between the new development and the city centre has been identified. Along with improvements to the public space in this area, these changes will help encourage visitors to Gloucester to move more freely and easily between the Quays development and the city centre. In encouraging shoppers to visit both areas of the city this will help benefit the city's economy.

Introduction and what are The Linkages?

Find out more about designs for new pedestrian links and improvements to the general environment between the new Gloucester Quays development and the town centre. These proposed new improvements will be called 'The Linkages'.  See what the next steps in the project are and find out where you can obtain further information.

 Larger aerial photo [1.2Mb] showing the proposed routes

Background to the project

As a result of the opening of the new Gloucester Quays shopping development the need to provide good pedestrian and cycle links between the new development and the city centre has been identified. Along with improvements to the public space in this area, these changes will help encourage visitors to Gloucester to move more freely and easily between the Quays development and the city centre. In encouraging shoppers to visit both areas of the city this will help benefit the city's economy.

How have the designs been produced?

The Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company (GHURC) has commissioned a consultant called LDA Design to develop concept designs for four separate routes and these are shown on the aerial photo of the city in the downloads section at the bottom of this page.

The first stage in the design process was to hold a series of workshops inviting some of the major city employers and interested parties along. These workshops in 2008 identified the aspirations, requirements and prioritisation for the four routes. These identified Route 1 between the new shopping complex to Kimbrose Triangle and into Southgate Street as the first priority. Route 1 is therefore the focus of this consultation. Later consultations will be run for the remaining Routes 2 to 4.

Where is Route 1?

Route 1 runs from Llanthony Road, at the entrance to the new shopping complex, through the Docks via the Barge Arm Square, Albion Square, Victoria Dock edge, Kimbrose Steps, Kimbrose Triangle and into Southgate Street up to the existing pedestrianised area in Southgate Street. See the download section at the bottom of this page for a map highlighting the area.

So, what will The Linkages scheme include?

The scheme comprises of the following:

• Removal of the existing one way system around Kimbrose Triangle (see plan attached in the download section at the bottom of this page)
• Introduction of two way working in Kimbrose Way.
• One way system northbound in Kimbrose Way and Southgate Street
• Southgate Street from Kimbrose Way northwards to No. 47 to become a pedestrian area.
• Restrictions for access will apply on the Northern section of Commercial Road and Southgate Street:
  
  • Deliveries permitted between 5 pm and 10 am
  • Buses
  • Residents (24 hour access) Chelsea Court, Flats on the site of the old Black Swan Inn and Priory Place.
  • To aid access to some businesses the right turn from Commercial Road into Ladybellgate Street will be reintroduced.
• High quality stone paving surfacing will be provided with the exception of the more heavily trafficked areas where coloured asphalt will be used as this is more durable.
• A "shared space" concept will be introduced see further details below or click here
• An attractive pedestrian square.
• A 20mph zone will be introduced throughout the area to include the "Gate Streets" see plan below
• A new street lighting scheme will also be incorporated into it including lighting to some key buildings.
• New street furniture
• A public art feature in the newly created public square at the junction of Southgate Street and Kimbrose Triangle.

How will you compensate for the loss of disabled parking in Southgate Street?

A great deal of consultation has taken place with regard to the provision of disabled spaces and working with Gloucester City Council this has resulted in the provision of 35 new spaces across Ladybellgate Street Car Park (from current 3 Blue Badge spaces to 6 estimated after upgrade end June), Longsmith Street Multi Storey Car Park (from 3 to 17 end June), Eastgate Rooftop (from 6 to 20 in July/August) and Hare Lane (from 2 to 8 in July/August).

In further detail:

• There is no height restriction in Ladybellgate Street Car Park so these are ideal for wheelchair users with easy access to Southgate Street. These spaces are an improvement to the original on-street parking because they will have clear access to the rear of the vehicle
• The provision of 17 spaces in Longsmith Multi Storey means that the ground floor will be marked out for disabled. There is a walkway from the car park so no need to use the lift. Blue badge holders can continue to park in the car park with no charge. This again will give easy access to Southgate Street.
• There will be 20 spaces now provided on Eastgate Rooftop. These will be marked out with easy access to the lifts, again within easy reach of Southgate Street.
• In Hare Lane South Car Park there are 2 existing spaces and these will be increased to 6.
• Car parks will be available on Sundays for worshippers of local churches.

This represents an increase of 35 new spaces in compensation for those lost in Southgate Street.

What is a Shared Space Concept?

The shared space concept is still relatively new in the United Kingdom and creates a shared space for pedestrians and vehicles. We are planning to do this as part of this scheme between Ladybellegate Street and Parliament Street.

As part of this, the speed limit will be reduced to 20mph within the area of the share space concept, encouraging a 'give way' culture.

As part of the share space concept we propose to transform road crossing points by fully integrating the design of roads and surrounding spaces to reprioritise the relationship with pedestrian movement.

These changes could help improve the balance between pedestrians and vehicles and decrease average journey times by reducing the amount of time a vehicle is stationary where traditional traffic management measures can be removed

New features that could be introduced as part of the shared space concept include:

• Raised tables
• Reduced or eliminated road kerbs
• Introduction of bollards to define vehicular areas
• Removal of street furniture
• Removal of traffic signals
• Introduction of 'places of interest', including exciting lighting and visual art features
• Introduction of different paving materials
• Narrowed carriageway for vehicles

Position statement 4th August 2010:

The Site Offices are located in the old Gloscat Campus off Brunswick Road.

Kimbrose Way
Kimbrose Way has now reopened to traffic. However, because works are continuing in this area the diversion for through traffic will be retained via St Anne's Way to the South West bypass and to Westgate Island. The Park & Ride Service has returned to its original route via Southgate Street, Kimbrose Way and Ladybellegate Street. The Stagecoach bus service now turns right into Parliament Street to the new bus stop in front of the Climbing Warehouse.

Kimbrose Triangle
The route round the Triangle on Commercial Road and Southgate Street is closed and works are progressing along the north side of Commercial Road, in continuation of the paving in front of the Baptist church.

Kimbrose Square
Whilst there are some minor finishing works to the area in front of the Court and the Dental Practice, this area has now been opened to pedestrians. There are temporary traffic lights whilst the paving is laid on the Dental Practice side of Southgate Street. These have been retained so that we can provide a pedestrian route up this side of the street. As soon as pedestrians can be transferred to the new footpath later this week, the works together with traffic lights, will swap to the other side of Southgate Street in front of Southgate House. Much of the area in front of the Artwall has now been concreted ready for paving to be laid next week. We won't be able to complete the square at the location of the tower as it is waiting for a foundation design to be agreed. We are also due to commence on the roadway at the back of the Artwall.

Ladybellegate Street junction
In order to complete the works at this junction we first need to lay new drainage connections. This will require the three way temporary traffic lights to be re-introduced and this cannot be done until the temporary lights in Southgate Street are no longer required.

Southgate Street
Works on the west side of Southgate have been suspended because we have been waiting for the scaffolding to be removed in front of the old Duck, Son and Pinker buiding. Barnwood Builders have promised that this will now be on 9^th August. We have transferred pedestrians to the newly laid tarmac in the centre of the street so that we can concentrate on the east side. Excavation and concreting are progressing well. Access to shops will be maintained during this time.

Southgate Street will remain closed as a consequence of the permanent traffic order although Park and Ride bus service will return to this route at the end of construction. Access to Southgate Street for deliveries, both the closed section and the existing pedestrian area, will be via Longsmith Street.

Northbound deliveries should follow the diversion referred to in the closure of Kimbrose Way and approach from the north. Southbound deliveries will be advised to approach via Westgate Street, Upper Quay Street and Longsmith Street.

The existing one way at Longsmith Street will be suspended for the purpose of deliveries.

Parliament Street
A new build out for the bus stop has been built in Parliament Street for the diverted Stagecoach Service. A bus shelter will not be provided in this location as passengers only dismount for the City Centre and it would cause inconvenience to the Climbing Warehouse.

Commercial Road
Demolition of the old Clutch Clinic in Commercial Road is complete. The building of the new Language Immersion Centre is due to commence in September. It will not be possible to complete our works as the new building is constructed, so a temporary footpath will be provided and the works completed at a later date.

 Commercial Street: Three way lights [171kb] [Opens in New Window]
 Road Closures and Diversions [1.4Mb] [Opens in New Window]

Who can I contact for further information?

For any further information please contact Frank Heggs at Gloucestershire Highways on 01452 583463 or email frank.heggs@gloucestershire.gov.uk

write to

Frank Heggs
Gloucestershire Highways,
Imperial Gate Business Park,
Corinium Avenue,
Barnwood,
Gloucester, GL4 3BW.

We are sending email alerts to keep interested parties informed of progress on this project. If you would like to register for this alert please advise us when you contact us via the above methods that you would like to be added to 'The Linkages Email Alert' subscription list.