Driving ban set for city road as part of £2.4m scheme

Designs for the Palmer Lane riverside makeover, a £2.4m scheme by Coventry City Council

A council could ban driving on part of a city centre road, as the local authority looks to create a new pedestrian area.

Palmer Lane in Coventry is set to become a riverside space for the public under a £2.4m scheme which started work this year.

As part of this, the council intends to make a stretch of the street permanently free of vehicular traffic except for when local businesses need to use it for loading.

Outdoor space and seating could also be added to an area behind Burges and Hales Street if the change goes ahead.

The overall project, which is due to finish later this year, also involves opening up the River Sherbourne and adding new landscaping.

Coventry City Council said the Palmer Lane plans would improve the area’s character and give more priority for walkers.

It will use bollards to make sure drivers stick to the rules which will apply at all times.

The driving ban will cover from 23-24 Palmer Lane to the space next to the river, maps show.

Businesses directly next to the road will get “reasonable access” to their premises, the council added in a ‘statement of reasons.’

Another change would involve “no entry” to Palmer Lane from the Burges.

Only cyclists and a few exceptions like emergency vehicles would be allowed to enter the street from here if the change is agreed.

The council said the move would help “remove conflict” along the narrow two-way section of the road next to the taxi rank.

Any objection to the move must be raised before 22 August and more details can be found on the council’s website.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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