J9 Traffic/Congestion Meeting

MT thanked all for attending stating that Parklife/J9 Business Group had called today’s meeting to find a resolution to the current traffic issue businesses are facing in the area.

BK introduced himself to all those present many already know him through his FSB and Chamber of Commerce Work and the J9 Business Group and Chair of J9’s Traffic Group and it is in this capacity he will chair today’s meeting to facilitate these issues as J9 Business Group Chair Sheldon Witney was unable to attend.

The traffic problems have not just been caused by the closure of the motorway bridge but this increase of traffic at the signals on the A46, the southbound traffic slip road & the set at Ashchurch Ind Estate, takes it to beyond its capacity as things stand. Traffic has not been able to clear these lights and tails back along the A438, into Shannon way and beyond.

A wide variety of issues and ideas to ease the issue were discussed these included-

• A46 capacity issue- give more green time to traffic east bound at both lights
• AMEY plan improvements for the junction but these won’t take place for a number of years
• MT informed that a number of firms had already begun to stagger working times for staff to ease the issue coupled with a number of staff beginning to cycle or seek alternative methods of transport
• Gloucestershire County Council asked if car sharing, using traffic map etc would help and informed all that Stagecoach have reduced fares during summer.
• Opening up of Gannaway Lane and Green Lane to traffic? Glos Highways believe that they would need to dig up pavements as currently blocked off, legal restrictions are also in place and coupled with issues from residents unlikely to be able to open these routes
• Could Tewkesbury School be opened for parking?  BK has spoken with Tewkesbury School and although they are open to the possibility of this idea they need to undertake a number of large scale roof repairs during summer holidays so unlikely to be of large volume.
• Glos Highways have noted that a traffic survey of the J9 businesses note that 89% of employees travel by car and 76% travel alone with less than 1% using bus despite 30% of J9’s employees living within 3 miles.
• Signage is not clear- no through road through Shannon Way & surrounding areaAMEY will amend signage and signals and will try to prevent people blocking the Junction 9 exit
• Could temporary traffic lights be setup at Northway Lane near Car Auctions? Glos Highways will look into this and seek advice.
• How long will the bridge be closed for? 15 weeks, to be followed by the bridge on Hardwick bank Rd afterwards, so 30 weeks in all
• MT also asked if all had faced issues with regards to travellers & overnight lorry parking causing waste and if they had found any ways to counter this.
  Courts now need to get involved for action to take place.  Lorries and travellers themselves are not a huge issue as help prevent crime, it is the waste they cause.
• Could Tewkesbury Borough Council put waste bins around the estate to help this issue?
• BK informed ALL that if there is anything J9 Business Group can do on behalf of the businesses please contact us as only by working together can a solution be found.
• Can AMEY participate in future traffic groups?
• Can extra parking be made available?

A number of workable solutions will be taken forward to combat the traffic issue with a number of the above solutions being looked into.  Actions going forward-

1. ALL Highways will try to put up matrix signs to provide more information starting with A38 near Gloucester.
2. AMEY will amend traffic lights as a trial to ease flow to give more ‘green time’
3. Glos Highways to look into issues of access
4. Parklife/ J9 Business Group to email out minutes/notes to all and keep all updated with events
5. J9 BG will speak to school to see if any parking can be made available
6. Businesses will continue to stagger working times to ease congestion