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Disappearing Traffic? An Evaluation of Pedestrianisation in Taunton Town Centre

Melia, Steven; Calvert, Thomas

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Authors

Steven Melia Steve.Melia@uwe.ac.uk
Senior Lecturer in Transport Planning

Thomas Calvert Thomas2.Calvert@uwe.ac.uk
Research Fellow in Transport and Urban Planning



Abstract

This study evaluated the traffic and travel impacts of a trial pedestrianisation scheme in Taunton town centre. The scope of the scheme, and the research project, were both scaled back. The only road to be closed during the trial was a short section of St James Street, a one-way side street leading from Taunton’s main shopping street.

The closure did not cause any measurable change in travel behaviour in the streets most directly affected by the closure. Drivers living in that area simply changed their travel routes, driving up to 0.8 miles further in some cases. When considered alongside previous studies, this suggests that small-scale road closure schemes are likely to cause much displacement of traffic, and little if any traffic reduction or modal shift. To achieve those objectives, road closure schemes need to be implemented over a wider area.

A clear majority of the local residents approved of the Council’s decision to pedestrianise the street.

Report Type Project Report
Acceptance Date Mar 9, 2020
Online Publication Date Mar 24, 2020
Publication Date Mar 24, 2020
Deposit Date Mar 24, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 26, 2020
Pages 25
Keywords disappearing traffic, pedestrianisation
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/5779057

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