Councillors did not plan a new drop-off and pick-up point at Bolton Station, and described the proposals as “a great missed opportunity. “
The council’s plan-making committee has postponed a resolution on plans involving the demolition of the lobby structure of the old bus station and the structure of a new road outside Newport Street station.
Councillors learned that the existing delivery domain on Trinity Street is problematic and “often misused,” resulting in constant congestion and a danger with cars that prevent on the road from leaving and retrieving train users, i. e. rush hour.
The new domain would have 14 domains for deposit and collection, which would mean a net relief on the domain as Trinity Street would be used for this purpose and the existing parking domain would be replaced with a motorcycle lane.
The site of the proposed new drop-off area and taxis was used as a bus station until September 2017, when the new exchange was opened nearby.
After that, the taxi station remained in permanent service, and the construction of the bus station lobby and stalls were used for occasional train replacement services.
The number of taxis in the new road area in the plans would be reduced from 12 seats to 10.
The programme proposed through Bolton City Council, Salford City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
Councilman Nick Peel told the assembly that the assignment is a “great disappointment. “
He said, “When I heard about this, I thought, “Oh, great, we had to do something. “When I saw the details, I was incredibly disappointed, it was a great missed opportunity.
“One of the priorities of this exchange is the option to deposit and recover, but this means net relief and fewer taxi fares. Closing the Trinity Street domain will aggravate the existing situation.
“Even if it is a motorcycle lane, it will not prevent cars from being interrupted on Trinity Street and will be impractical from a dual carriageway position, because as soon as a traffic officer approaches, the cars will continue.
“Currently, there is unsafe congestion on Trinity Street and this may have been an opportunity to double the deposit and recovery places. The solution would be not to use the motorcycle trail on Trinity Street or communicate with TfGM about the 3 Newport Street bus stations that are rarely, or never, used.
“This area is necessary to create more delivery and collection areas. If that happens, it’ll be a long, long time before we get the chance. Let’s take this opportunity to make it a better program. “
TfGM’s request said: “It will be established as a delivery point for the train station for cars and personal taxis.
“This will eliminate the misused delivery domain on Trinity Street and introduce a two-way motorcycle lane between intersections, improving traffic on Trinity Street.
“This motorcycle trail will pass through the new junction and down Newport Street to downtown.
Councillors voted unanimously to postpone a resolution on the plans and suggested that the applicant review the proposals before re-deliberating.