New cycle lanes are set to be introduced on Gloucester Street and Woodham Road in an effort to enhance safety at the intersection.

Councillor Yani Johanson voiced concerns, believing there were more pressing priorities to address.

One implication was the potential reduction in parking spaces for businesses located at the intersection.

Councillor Kelly Barber said “eliminating parking demonstrates a lack of proactive engagement with the local business owners.

Some have already voiced their discontent about this move. These business owners are the ones taking risks and investing in our community.”

Councillor Sara Templeton said “I think that when it comes to safety versus the convenience of an extra 30 second walk from a car park and slightly further away, I think that safety trump’s that every time.”

Echoing Templeton’s sentiments, Councillor Pauline Cotter said “It’s always difficult when we have parking loss, especially outside businesses, but I’m sure that there’s plenty of parking around the area.

“And it’s a change and change tends to set in after some time and people get used to that 30 second walk to where they’re going.”

WHAT ARE THE PLANS?

Repaint all intersection approach roads to make it clear where straight travelling and turning traffic should be.

The plan includes right-turn-only lanes on all approach roads, and one left-turn-only lane on the northern approach road.

• Install painted right-turn bays within the intersection to assist drivers when turning right from Gloucester Street onto Woodham Road.

• Install painted cycle lanes on all entrances to the intersection to improve safety for cyclists.

• Introduce more no-parking restrictions at the intersections to provide space for the proposed lane marking changes. These will be outside 705, 713 and 715 Gloucester Street and 195 Woodham Road.

• Introduce P30 on the car park spaces outside 164 Woodham Road to help with the turnover of cars wanting to go into nearby businesses.