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Lichfield/Tuam swap project
The City Council wants to know
what people think of its proposal to
change traffic flows on two main
streets in the central city. Swapping the functions of Tuam
and Lichfield streets and slowing
traffic in the core of the city are key
projects within the Council’s Central
City Strategy. The word “swap” is being used for this project, and
although proposed changes would result in swapping the street
functions, the scheme involves more than a straight swap in order
to achieve its objectives. Under the proposal, Lichfield Street and a part of Oxford Terrace
would swap from one to two-way, and Tuam Street from two to
one-way traffic. The changes would start at Hospital Corner and
extend eastwards as far as Fitzgerald Avenue. The Council believes that the expected advantages of the swap
deserve further discussion and debate with the public. Public
consultation on the project is taking place from 3 June to 16 August. Among the swap’s objectives are to improve the area for
pedestrians and retail, cut down the amount and speed of traffic in
the core of the city, and make provision for better use of historic
buildings and for improvements to the area around the Avon River. The Council says the scheme will
also improve road safety and enable
the bus system to be more efficient. After public consultation, the
feedback will be analysed and a final
report presented to the Sustainable
Transport and Utilities Committee,
and full Council. Information about the proposed swap, and brochures with
submission forms, are available from City Council Civic Offices,
Service Centres and libraries. The July issue of City Scene will provide further details about the
proposed changes, and look at the possible advantages and
disadvantages. |