Totnes Old Bridge

Presentation to theTotnes Traffic and Transport Forum

10 October 2012

John Fewings

Problems – A

• Footways over the Old Bridge are too narrow (currently both footways are between 1.1 and 1.2 metres wide)

• Department for Transport guidance recommends a minimum width of 1.5 metres for a pedestrian to pass a pushchair or wheelchair, or 1.7 metres for pushchairs and wheelchairs to pass each other

Problems – B

• Old bridge provides the only realistic pedestrian link between Bridgetown residential area and goods and services in the town centre

• Old Bridge provides the tourist link between Steamer Quay and the town

User Comment 1

Issue was raised during TotM consultation day on the 28 April

Sample comment

“We urgently need changes to be made to the Old Bridge… a wider footpath for pushchairs”

User Comment 2

“I walk in almost daily from Bridgetown across the Bridge with my daughter Emily in a sling. I find threading my way past others means stepping off the narrow pavement into the fast traffic from behind. There’s no protection and I feel very vulnerable, particularly for my baby.  I dread the time when Emily is walking, with cars roaring past inches from her.  Also there’s no safe place to cross, except the islands at the roundabout where traffic tears round the corner opposite the Seven Stars, often without indicating.”

Natalie Waldbaum, Bridgetown resident

Pedestrian counts

Count undertaken on Wednesday 4 July 2012

7am to 7pm

• North (upstream) Footway – 511 pedestrians• South (downstream) Footway – 1,435

pedestrians

So approximately 75% of pedestrians use southern footway

Phase 1 proposal

• Widen southern (downstream) footway to between 1.8 and 2.0 metres

• Leave northern (upstream) footway at its current width

• Signing, lining and lighting improvements

• Retain two way vehicle traffic

• Approximate cost: £75,000

Bridge sketch

Looking towardsBridgetown

Photomontage 1

Southern (downstream) footway widened

Photomontage 2

Northern (upstream) footway unaltered

Phase 2 proposals - A

• Modify “Seven Stars” roundabout to provide a better gateway into the town

• Consider change in surfacing levels and/or materials

• Consider traffic calming and 20mph speed limit

• Alterations to Bridgetown Hill junction to reduce through traffic

Phase 2 proposals - B

• Provide pedestrian crossing at Bridgetown end of bridge, or both ends of bridge

• Cycle lanes could be considered if traffic flows and speeds are significantly reduced