BUSES for the controversial Into Town service will soon be departing from Wide Bargate as an experimental traffic order is making way to put its stops in place – but it could face problems if parking is not enforced.
Boston borough councillors raised concerns at Thursday's overview and scrutiny meeting at the potential for problems in the area when parking along the south side of Wide Bargate is banned between Threadneedle Street and the pedestrian entrance to Pe
ADVERTISEMENTscod Square.
The experimental order proposes to restrict the length of Wide Bargate on its south side, between Pen Street and the pedestrian entrance to Pescod Square.
Parking bays will be removed and two loading bays will be created between Pen Street and Threadneedle Street. Loading will also be banned between Threadneedle Street and the pedestrian entrance to Pescod Square.
Three temporary bus stops will be put in place.
When about keeping cars out of the loading bays and bus stops, Steve Willis, the county council's divisional highways manager, said: "Parking enforcement is some way off so in the interim the police decided they are not providing any extra traffic wardens, but in the early days we are asking for their support."
County senior project officer Graeme Mellor defended the choice of using the narrower side of Wide Bargate after councillors Richard Leggott and Brian Rush asked why the north side could not be used for bus stops instead. Mr Mellor said the south side allowed the buses to 'head off in any direction'.
The committee recorded its concern at the previous process of consultation on the bus service and felt further consideration, after the six-month trial, should be more detailed.
The comments will now be passed to cabinet – the borough's decision-making body – so a response can be sent to the county council.
A second experimental traffic order will be in place on Town Bridge, to allow buses to travel in both directions. Sensors on the buses will be linked to traffic lights to clear the way for travel in both directions.
