Last year, Bury Council launched a consultation on a range of ‘Streets for All’ investment schemes in the centre of the town.
Initial proposals included changing traffic flows to make the roads one-way, going up Bridge Street from the railway station to Bolton Street, and then one way coming down Kay Brow leading onto Railway Street.
The council said this was ‘specifically to tackle the conflict between pedestrians and traffic on Bridge Street’.
However, the authority has now decided that, following the consultation, it will not proceed with the one-way system.
The council has today (September 9) published the details of the consultation.
It said that, while some elements of the Streets for All scheme were supported, such as footpath improvements and new crossings, the proposed one-way system ‘generated significant concerns’.
READ MORE: Everything to know about one-way system and 20mph zone for Ramsbottom
They are mostly related to the use of Kay Brow for HGVs and buses, a perception that it would lead to increased congestion, and the potential impact on access for emergency services.
The local authority said the remaining planned investments would improve pedestrian safety in Ramsbottom.
More than 1,500 responses were received during discussions.
Now suggested improvements include creating widened footpaths, a 20mph zone and new pedestrian crossings.
The council said it will concentrate on delivering the proposals that were supported by the community, as well as looking at wider opportunities to improve cycling and walking routes to the town centre.
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Coun Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, said: “The volume and strength of feeling expressed during the consultation highlights the importance of Ramsbottom town centre to the local community.
“Local councillors in Ramsbottom echoed much of what the community said.
“That’s exactly why we reached out to residents to consult, to listen, and we can now show that we have changed our approach in light of that feedback.
“We plan to move forward with elements of the town centre proposals that received clear public support, such as safer pedestrian crossings, and will not be implementing a one-way system.
“We will also be improving some walking and cycling routes to and from the town centre. These improvements will bring real benefits to the local community.
Ramsbottom town centre (Image: Bury Council)
“They will be delivered using the funding we’ve secured for Ramsbottom through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS).
“We will be consulting on the details of these plans later in the year to ensure residents continue to have a voice in shaping the future of their town.”
The CRSTS funding is capital investment ringfenced for walking, cycling, and sustainable transport and cannot be used to fund other day-to-day revenue spend, such as maintaining the roads or creating more parking.
