Our Traffic Management Vision

Traffic Management Report April 2008

West Dunbartonshire Council has decided to commission a feasibility study on re-admitting vehicular traffic to High Street Dumbarton. We heartily applaud this step and feel that the council has acknowledged the fact that the current system urgently needs to be changed. Business for Dumbarton has concrete, realistic and achievable proposals which we feel will benefit all users of the High Street and Town Centre.

Why is change essential?

The current traffic management scheme was a pivotal part of the Action Plan “Re-discovering Dumbarton”. This plan promised in 2000 to revitalize Dumbarton Town Centre “within five years”. Unfortunately in 2008 despite cosmetic improvements, it is clear that the promises made in the action plan have failed to materialise. A recent survey by Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce found that the majority of businesses in the town centre have experienced dramatically declining footfall and turnover since the introduction of the current traffic management system in 2005. Through consultation and discussion with our members and customers, and whilst acknowledging that there may be other contributory factors, there is little doubt that the traffic management system is seen as the biggest single factor to the downward spiral of the town within the last three years.

What is wrong with the current system?

The most important problem is the lack of access and parking, particularly for the disabled. This is the perennial complaint that is voiced by our disabled customers and their carers. There is a particular issue with banks and the post office. Where queues and waiting times are unpredictable and the allotted parking spaces are so far away, disabled people feel they are being unfairly discriminated against.

The casual or convenience customer has all but disappeared from the town centre. We feel that access to the High Street along with provision of some short stay parking is essential to attract these shoppers back to the town. The comment ” I hardly come into the town any more because it isn’t worth the hassle”, is one that we hear on a regular basis. The other important point to emphasise in the current system is that it causes confusion. Many people, particularly visitors simply don’t see the signs at the access points to the street and they proceed unaware of the restrictions. This is particularly true when buses are queued at the access points. Many drivers have been issued with fixed penalty notices, and whilst we appreciate that “ignorance of the law is no excuse” this causes more bad feeling and resentment and therefore a further downward spiral of the area.

There is no feeling of “life” about the High Street. Rediscovering Dumbarton promised a vibrant town centre reinvigorated with vitality. These words have a hollow ring when surveying the High Street today. The ambience feeling on many days is one of desolation. Indeed it has struck many people that the street seems a more vibrant place on a Sunday when cars are admitted. There is certainly a mood of greater safety and security with cars around.

Our Plan

Business for Dumbarton’s plan is a simple one and will not require great expense or logistics to implement. It addresses the issues of access and disabled and short stay parking.

The plan is as follows;

There would be a one-way system for car traffic and taxis only, operating between the two current High Street access points. We would recommend,“pinch points” at each access. Traffic would proceed in a westward direction (i.e. from the Royal Bank). Parking could be provided on both sides of the street in clearly marked bays designating either disabled or short stay. The short stay, on street parking, would be limited to 30 minutes.

*Edited to include: Several members are understandably unclear on the “parking on both sides” proposal. Of course even with one-way traffic, the majority of the High Street would provide parking on one side only (the “south” side, or side nearest the quay). However there are points where it is still wide enough to provide parking on both sides.

Pinch points could be created at the entries to the street. The current signs act as a mental and physical barrier and are seen as unwelcoming.

Buses

Westbound Buses would be redirected via the quayside. There would be a bus stop on the quay. The bus stop outside147 High Street would remain. The removal of the bus stop near Farmfoods would clear a particular area of pavement congestion.

Removal of the Farmfoods bus stop would benefit pedestrians.

Possible site for westbound bus stop.

Eastbound buses would be redirected via Risk Street with a bus stop in the vicinity of the Rialto/Concord. A bus stop could remain at the east end of the High Street as at present but would be re- sited outside the Masonic to allow for the new route. The removal of the Poundland bus stop would “declutter” the area and create more space allowing for the possibility of widening the road once more. The main eastbound bus stop could be accommodated in the town square should the current masterplan proceed.

Removal of this bus stop would declutter the area and perhaps allow for widening of the street.

Possible bus stop site (eastbound)

Edited to include: possible additional eastbound bus stop site

Deliveries

Delivery lorries would be encouraged to use the Quay and Risk Street for deliveries to the rear of shops and businesses. Our research shows that most deliveries already take place to goods entrances in any case so this should not be a difficult hurdle.

Advantages of this plan.

1) Access to the town centre greatly enhanced for the disabled and other motorists.

2) Low cost to implement.

3) It could be trialled before full implementation to allow for full consultation.

4) Provision of much needed convenient parking.

5) Two-way bus access would be maintained but buses would no longer meet head on.

6) A feeling of life and vitality would return to the street.

7) The remainder of the road network would remain unaltered.

8 ) Re-opening the street would not mean a return to previous parking problems.

9) Safety and security for shoppers would be increased.

10)A cost effective measure to kick start the regeneration of the town.