Summary
- Where: Above Bar Street and it's junction with New Road and Civic Centre Road
- When: 1 June 2026
- What: Replace and upgrade traffic signals, footway improvements and maintenance, drainage improvements and carriageway resurfacing
- Why: To replace aging infrastructure and make general improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, taxis and buses
- How: Funded by through the Bus Service Improvement Plan
Access and enforcement
SCC have amended the access restrictions on Above Bar Street between its junctions with Civic Centre Road / New Road and Pound Tree Road. Access is permitted to buses, taxis, and cyclists only at all times. This is an extension of the existing restriction at this location and is in line with restrictions already on Portland Terrace and East Park Terrace keeping signage consistent for drivers.
It is intended to camera enforce these changes, as well as the box junction markings at the junction of Above Bar Street / Civic Centre Road / New Road and the start date of enforcement will be published in due course.
The council advertised its intent to extend on existing traffic restriction in March 2026 via Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). The Council received 30 responses to the proposals including, 11 objections, 14 responses in support and 5 comments to the proposals. Key themes to objections and responses outlined in table below.
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Ref
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Objection/Concern |
Officer Response |
|
1 |
The proposals will further restrict traffic movement in the city centre, exacerbate congestion, displace traffic onto surrounding roads and result in longer and less convenient journeys for drivers, residents and visitors.
|
The proposals are not considered likely to have a significant impact on general traffic pattens in the city centre.
The southern section of Above Bar Street is already restricted by a pedestrian zone (prohibition of motor vehicles except buses, permit holders and taxis) restriction between 8am – 8pm. The alternative route via New Road and Kingsway is considered to be more appropriate for general traffic.
It is accepted that the proposals will require some vehicles to use alternative routes. This impact is however considered acceptable to achieve the overall aims of the scheme and is consistent with the Council’s long-term aim to limit through traffic in the city centre encouraging use of the ring road as a more suitable A road route instead.
The proposed changes provide a more standardised restriction (local buses, cycles and authorised vehicles only) which would apply at all times. This aligns with other restrictions in the city centre and should help support understanding and compliance. |
|
2 |
The proposals will negatively affect local businesses, making the area less accessible and less attractive for customers. . |
No significant impact on businesses is anticipated. The southern section of Above Bar Street is already subject to a pedestrian zone (prohibition of motor vehicles except buses, permit holders and taxis) restriction for much of the day. |
|
|
The revised restrictions introduce complexity, are less intuitive for drivers, and may lead to confusion rather than improved compliance.
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This location has a mix of restriction types and exemptions which are considered to be overly restrictive and potentially confusing for road users.
The proposed changes are intended to simplify the situation and provide a more consistent approach. It is not accepted that they will introduce complexity.
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Project Details
Funded by through the Bus Service Improvement Plan, the works included:
- Replacing and upgrading the traffic signals at the junction of Above Bar Street, Civic Centre Road and New Road for all users with:
- Improved pedestrian detection and vehicle detection for more efficient running of the junction as well as more flexibility in meeting the demands of the network
- Bus priority detection to improve bus service journey times
- Countdown timers for pedestrians’ crossings
- Early release lights for cyclists
- Making the bus stop infill on Above Bar Street permanent by replacing existing materials with those matching the surrounding for example replacing tarmac surfacing with paving and replacing rubber kerbs with Kassell kerbs in keeping with rest of the kerb line. The infill is also reduced in width to better allow the passing of buses
- Resurfacing of the carriageway
- Resolving defects on footways including broken or rocking paving
- Improving the drainage of footways
- Cleaning of lighting columns and cutting back of tree canopy along Above Bar Steet where required
- Changes at city centre junctions to permit taxis to make the same movements as buses including at Above Bar Street / New Road and Park Road / Havelock Road improving accessibility for them
The works have taken place from Monday 1 June 2026 over the course of 9 weeks. During this time, to ensure the safety of the public and Balfour Beatty's workforce, Above Bar Street was closed from the junction with New Road and Civic Centre Road to the junction with Pound Tree Road on the south side, and from the junction to Commercial Road on the north side. At times it was also necessary to close the junction of Above Bar Street, New Road and Civic Centre Road overnight.
We appreciate that Above Bar Street is a key travel corridor and apologise for the inconvenience caused. The taxi rank adjacent to Palmerston Park will be temporarily relocated to Civic Centre Road nearby to La Tavernetta and the bus stops here will also be temporarily suspended. Details for all the effected services can be found on the Bluestar website.
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Above Bar / New Road / Civic Centre Road Junction | Above Bar South |
| Weeks 1-5 |
Works will begin on the northern corners of the junction (near KFC and Sprinkles). The works will then move to the southern corners (near the park entrance). Mainly daytime working, with occasional night-time works where required. |
Bus stop improvement works New drainage installation Paving works to the temporary bus stop build-outs Daytime working |
| Weeks 5-6 |
Traffic signal commissioning and set-up Daytime working |
Associated repair works in the area Daytime working |
| Weeks 7-8 |
Resurfacing and road marking works Night-time working |
Resurfacing and road marking works Night-time working |