Police in Newbury have been forced to close Park Way Bridge. Sheer volume of traffic, possibly caused by the additional vehicles heading for the Racecourse, have left some vehicles trapped in the Wharf for up to an hour.

Problems in this area have been increasing since Market Street was opened to two way traffic on November 12th.

Click on the image for an enlarged view

Did someone ask why I prefer Basingstoke?

The bridge has since been re-opened and the situation has quickly returned to gridlock.

Aparently the police attended at about 15:20 and deemed it  to be down to normal friday rush hour traffic.

I bet some of this traffic needn't be using this route. If they realised you could get to the town centre in other ways instead of being pushed into this one area cars would be more evenly distributed.

Quoted from 133

I bet some of this traffic needn't be using this route. If they realised you could get to the town centre in other ways instead of being pushed into this one area cars would be more evenly distributed.

Poor signage perhaps?

Quoted from BrianB

Poor signage perhaps?

Apparently it is perfect as it is. I did notice this morning there's even more more signage from the Robin Hood roundabout to let people know the only parking in the town centre is accessed via London Road.

Just wait until the Park Way precinct/mall/shopping centre opens !!!

Quoted from LocalRes

Just wait until the Park Way precinct/mall/shopping centre opens !!!

Yep bridge is to be closed to ordinary traffic. It will be 2 way traffic light controlled for buses, taxis and post vans only.

This will bring true pedestrianisation to Northbrook Street.

Quoted from BrianB

Yep bridge is to be closed to ordinary traffic. It will be 2 way traffic light controlled for buses, taxis and post vans only.

This will bring true pedestrianisation to Northbrook Street.

Does that mean drivers wanting the South end of the town centre, who follow the town centre/car park signs or their satnavs (from the Robin Hood), will have to turn round or park in an inconvenient place or just get lost?

Quoted from 133

I bet some of this traffic needn't be using this route. If they realised you could get to the town centre in other ways instead of being pushed into this one area cars would be more evenly distributed.

I'm willing to bet they do realise, they just think they shouldn't be taking the longer route, everyone else should.

Quoted from user23.3

I'm willing to bet they do realise, they just think they shouldn't be taking the longer route, everyone else should.

I would bet a lot of people don't realise and I only bet on certainties. Shorter route through Park Way, is it?

Quoted from 133

I would bet a lot of people don't realise and I only bet on certainties. Shorter route through Park Way, is it?

Ever known a bookie take to a bet on a certainty?

Bear Lane one-way, a couple of minutes delay going round via St John's Rd.  Bear Lane two-way, motorists stuck on Wharf for an hour.

Proof that Bear Lans should be one way?

Quoted from user23.3

I'm willing to bet they do realise, they just think they shouldn't be taking the longer route, everyone else should.

I'm sure tey all pay road tax and council tax so why shouldn't they expect to use the roads in Newbury? It's an absolute joke. This town is being choked. I don't think it will get worse though when Parkway opens. I don't think that it could, and I don't think a big empty building will attract too much traffic.

Quoted from Strafin

I'm sure tey all pay road tax and council tax so why shouldn't they expect to use the roads in Newbury? It's an absolute joke. This town is being choked. I don't think it will get worse though when Parkway opens. I don't think that it could, and I don't think a big empty building will attract too much traffic.

What do you suggest is done then, build a three lane super highway across the river over Parkway just in case all 30,000 people in Newbury want to use it at once (after all, they've all paid their tax, why shouldn't they be allowed to use it when they want) for millions of quid or get people to use a bit of common sense and use other routes, for nothing.

The "I've paid my tax and I want to do what I want, when I want, never mind anyone else" is a selfish and costly one to society. I wonder how many of the people sitting in their cars cursing the traffic actually realised that they were part of the problem themselves?