The Whiteley bus gate is to be opened for the rest of the year.
The bus and emergency vehicle route between Yew Tree Drive and Botley Road with the bollards in place
From next week traffic will be able to use the Yew Tree Drive access into and out of Whiteley until New Year’s Eve at the earliest. A traffic regulation order is being drawn up by Hampshire County Council to cover the nine month period.
The extended opening will provide an opportunity for traffic data on vehicles using the route to be collected throughout the period – during significant roadworks on the M27 at junction nine and the A27 at Park Gate as well as when the surrounding roads have returned to normal.
Ward Councillor Seán Woodward said: “I believe it is important that not only does the bus gate perform one of its primary functions – opening for problems on the road network – but that sufficient time should be available after those network problems are over for data to continue to be collected once the traffic flows return to normal.”
A number of traffic calming measures are to be put in place before the bollards are lowered at mid-day on Tuesday (March 12).
A “slow” road marking is to be painted at the bus gate, rumble strips installed, 30mph flashing signs placed on Swanwick Lane, Botley Road, and Yew Tree Drive, as well as heavy goods vehicle advisory signs to discourage them from using the bus gate.
Other works will continue to investigate, design and implement additional appropriate traffic improvement measures.
These will include speed reduction measures on key roads, such as a 20mph limit on Yew Tree Drive, pedestrian crossing improvements, permanent flashing speed signs and a review of on-street parking.