Four interesting comments on Monday’s post on whether or not to go one way in the town’s two main streets and the benefits this might bring.Creating a one-way system up Clwyd Street and down Well Street has other benefits than dispensing with the roundabout and opening up St Peter’s Square. If traffic in town was one way, there might be a modest increase in legal on-street parking without the inconvenience caused by those who litter the place by dumping their cars just about anywhere. Let’s face it, there’s more and more people who seem to insist on walking less and less. A one-way system would mean no requirement to dodge such indiscriminate parking as there’d be nothing coming towards you to dodge. And it may serve to pacify those who assiduously park properly and who object to those who don’t.
But there are dangers. For one thing, one way systems come with a plethora of ugly street signs and traffic arrows. These can have a highly negative visual impact. Unless managed well, it’s like an abuse. They threaten the very streetscape Rhuthun should try to protect.
For another, one way running could increase traffic speeds, just at a time when so-called boy and girl racers need their wings clipping.
Unless, of course, any changes to traffic direction were accompanied by measures that help pedestrians and slow cars, perhaps even encouraging through motorists along Park Road. Here would be a real benefit of one way working. More pedestrian space on St Peter’s Square. Pedestrianising Upper Clwyd Street. Reducing the size of or even eliminate the roundabout at the top of town by narrowing the vehicle track. Altering the balance between car and pedestrian by narrowing the streets and introducing features that make it pleasant once again to walk around town. That way, all benefit, motorists, pedestrians, those trying to park and shops themselves.