Cars could be banned in part of Coventry
It's to make way for a pedestrian zone in the city.
Coventry council could ban driving on part of a city centre road to create a new pedestrian area. Palmer Lane is set to become a riverside space for the public under a £2.4 million scheme which started work this year.
As part of this, the council intends to make a stretch of the street permanently free of vehicle traffic except for when local businesses need to use it for loading. The authority gave notice of the move last week.
Outdoor space and seating could also be added to the ‘hidden area’ behind the Burges and Hales Street if the change goes ahead. The overall project involves opening up the River Sherbourne and adding new landscaping.
Work on the scheme is due to finish later this year. A council video posted to Facebook shows workers removing parts of the large concrete slab, known as the ‘culvert,’ which covers the river.
The council said the Palmer Lane plans will improve the area’s character and give more priority for walkers. It will use bollards to make sure drivers stick to the rules which will apply 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
The driving ban will cover 23-24 Palmer Lane to the space next to the river, maps show. Businesses directly next to the road will get “reasonable access” to their premises, the council added in a ‘statement of reasons.’
Another change to the road is also planned, as the council wants to introduce a “no entry” to Palmer Lane from its traffic junction with the Burges. Only cyclists, emergency vehicles and statutory undertakers would be allowed to enter the street from here if the change is agreed.
The council said the move will help “remove conflict” along the narrow two-way section of the road next to the taxi rank. Any objection to the move must be raised before 22 August and more details can be found on the council’s website under ‘proposed traffic regulation orders.’