AN order has been made by Barnsley Council to stop motor vehicles driving on a road in a bid to improve active travel routes across Barnsley.
At Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, members signed off the plan to stop cars, vans and lorries driving along a section of Fitzwilliam Road as part of its plan to support cyclists and people walking in the town.
It’s a part of the A635 ‘Active Travel Scheme’ which was signed off by the council and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority in September 2022.
It includes a package of measures which seek to promote walking and cycling on the A635 between Stairfoot Roundabout and Hollygrove Roundabout in Goldthorpe.
Coun James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and highways, said: “As part of the Department for Transport’s transforming cities fund, local authorities were asked to submit proposals to approve walking and cycling routes in South Yorkshire.
“The A635 active travel route scheme, which is a package of measures seeking to promote walking and cycling, was one of the schemes that met the criteria submitted to the transforming cities fund.
“The scheme involved the widening of the footway along the A635 Doncaster Road between Stairfoot Roundabout and Hollygrove Roundabout in Goldthorpe to create a shared use walking and cycling way.”
The widening of the footway on Ardsley Hill has already been completed, and at Wednesday’s meeting further measures were approved - including closing Fitzwilliam Road to motorists.
“To further improve the active travel provision it is proposed to close Fitzwilliam Road to motorised vehicles,” Coun Higginbottom added.
“Residents, visitors and delivery vehicles will have access to the properties from the A635 Doncaster Road and a turning head is being constructed adjacent to the last property on the northern side.
“The carriageway will be converted into a shared cycle and pedestrian route with a prohibition of driving except for access to its junction with the A6195 Rotherham Road.
“Vehicular access will be permitted from either end of the closed section by means of a lockable bollard for the purposes of maintenance by Barnsley Council and for landowners to maintain their crop and livestock.
“To ensure the free flow of traffic along Fitzwilliam Road and to maintain visibility at its junction with Doncaster Road, waiting restrictions are proposed at the junction and around the newly-constructed turning head.
“A single formal objection has been received with the recommendation to proceed with the proposals.”
It’s anticipated that the scheme will cost £66,000 - made up of £50,000 from the works, £8,500 from the installation of the turning head and £7,500 in legal fees.
A report added: “The proposals will affect commuters who will be unable to use Fitzwilliam Road to access A6195 Rotherham Road from A635 Doncaster Road and vice versa.
“However, improvements to Cathill Roundabout have reduced queuing, and provide a more suitable route.
“The waiting restrictions will prevent parking on the south side of Fitzwilliam Road but will ensure the footway is free from obstructions.
“The proposals are likely to have a positive impact on residents by creating a safer active travel route between the A6195 and A635 and reducing traffic on Fitzwilliam Road.
“The scheme is fully funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Authority (SYMCA) Transforming Cities Fund.”
