Warning over reckless and inexcusable Bishopsworth one-way road plan creating dangerous new rat run

The city council intends to change the road system next to Headley Park Primary School in Bishopsworth, stopping traffic driving southbound on the 300-metre section of Headley Park Avenue between Headley Lane and Headley Park Road.

But Cllr Richard Eddy (Conservative, Bishopsworth) is concerned that drivers will use Maytree Avenue, Maytree Close and other local streets as a shortcut, adding to existing congestion and parking problems, and said the decision was “reckless and inexcusable”.

He said the original plan was to make Headley Park Avenue one-way northbound only for 30 minutes in both the morning and afternoon around the school day but that transport officers argued this would be confusing and unenforceable, so the council would instead make the change permanent and applicable 24/7 every day, even when the school was closed.

In response, transport and connectivity committee chairman Cllr Ed Plowden (Green, Windmill Hill) said creating a one-way system was the most effective way of keeping pupils, parents and school staff safe and that any displacement of vehicles would be “negligible”.

Cllr Eddy, who lives 600 metres from the school which he attended as a youngster, said the changes could be introduced in October following final sign-off by director of economy of place Alex Hearn following two rounds of public consultation earlier this year.

He said the move would “displace road traffic and create a potentially dangerous rat-run in the council’s on-going war on the motorist”.

Cllr Eddy said: “Ironically, Headley Park Primary School relocated its main entrance to Headley Lane, from Headley Park Avenue, well over a decade ago

“Although the section of Headley Park Avenue affected by the one-way prohibition still has significant pupil-linked car parking at the two key parts of the school day, the main concentration of car congestion has moved round the corner, into Headley Lane.

“I certainly empathise with those residents who will be adversely affected all year long by the closure of Headley Park Avenue to eastbound traffic.

“However, at least these local residents were consulted and invited to respond with their comments.

“However, I am even more concerned by the effect of this road change on the residents of Maytree Avenue, Maytree Close and other local streets.

“If Headley Park Road/Headley Park Avenue is closed to eastbound transport, the main shortcut for road traffic from northern Headley Park to the south of the locality is via Maytree Avenue.

“This is a heavily built-up area, with a lot of on-street parking during the evenings and weekends and the Maytree pub generates additional parking.

“Making Maytree Avenue a rat-run is reckless and inexcusable and every consideration to the consequences of this proposal must be taken into account.

“Although the residents of Maytree Avenue and Maytree Close were involved in the initial council consultation, the real implications for their area were not explicitly pointed out.

“I am calling for traffic modelling of this proposal showing the impact of displacing vehicles onto Maytree Avenue and other roads to be carried out.

“The findings should be shared with affected residents, inviting their responses before any final decision is made.”

Cllr Eddy’s concerns were shared by Bishopsworth road-safety campaigner Ellie Barbosa who said: “It would be invidious to make a decision about making part of Headley Park Avenue one-way and not to take into account the impact of displacing traffic onto already clogged Maytree Avenue.

“Maytree Avenue is already hazardous for pedestrians and motorists, and the city council must beware of making the situation even worse.

“We have recently seen the regrettable effect of imposing a controversial eastbound bus gate on Cumberland Road.

“This has led to a huge increase in traffic using more residential nearby Coronation Road.

“Let’s not repeat this mistake in Headley Park.”

Cllr Plowden said: “Creating a one-way system is often the most effective way of keeping children, parents, carers and school staff safe during busy pick-up and drop-off times, and Headley Park Primary School is no different.

“While we understand concerns over displacement of vehicles and increased traffic, we remain confident that, as with our other successful school streets schemes, issues will be negligible.

“This confidence is based on extensive traffic modelling to mitigate potential problems along with the availability of alternative routes.

“Nevertheless, we have, and will continue to monitor traffic Headley Park Avenue, Headley Lane and Maytree Avenue to help us understand if further changes are necessary.

“We will also work with the school and local community to encourage motorists to leave the car at home for the school run and enjoy the range of physical and mental benefits that come with walking, wheeling and cycling to school.”