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One-way streets switch in bus service improvements

Andrew Turner
BBC News, Norfolk
Andrew Turner/BBC A red Coastal Reds bus, stopped at Great Yarmouth bus station. The bus is a double decker, painted in red, orange and burgundy, with "regular local links" as a promotional slogan and an advert on the side. On the far side of the station is a blue bus, facing in the opposite, southbound, direction.Andrew Turner/BBC
Buses can now travel in both directions through Great Yarmouth bus station, shaving up to 10 minutes off journey times

The direction of traffic in several one-way streets in a town centre has changed to help speed up bus journeys.

Norfolk County Council was awarded £50m through the Government's Bus Service Improvement Plan with the Great Yarmouth scheme costing around £2.5m.

It means parts of one-way systems around Deneside, King Street, Regent Street and Regent Road have changed direction.

The changes allow northbound buses to enter Market Gates bus station in the opposite direction, shaving several minutes off journey times.

Andrew Turner/BBC New asphalt laid outside Market Gates Shopping Centre, and freshly painted "buses only" road markings in white. Orange traffic barriers are installed to the left of the image. The Market Gates shopping centre and other shop premises are visible on either side of the image.Andrew Turner/BBC
Buses previously exited the bus station at this part of Regent Road, but now they drive into the bus station from here

The changeover took effect on Monday with preparatory works held over the weekend, which led to parking suspensions along the affected routes.

The bus stop on Regent Street has now closed, and others will become redundant as journeys take a more efficient route.

Whereas northbound services previously turned left off Haven Bridge, travelling along Stonecutters Way, Howard Street and Temple Way before getting to the bus station, they now turn right and turn up Regent Street.

It means services from Gorleston to Norwich or Caister exit the town centre in a shorter route with fewer traffic lights and junctions.

However, the alterations forced the closure of the taxi rank outside The Troll Cart pub and hotel, angering drivers.

Andrew Turner/BBC Debbie Brown has blonde hair and is wearing tinted glasses. She is smiling, and wearing a blue jacket. Ahead of her in the queue to board the bus is a person in a red quilted jacket. The bus is painted yellow and blue, with the "Travel Norfolk" logo near the door, and the destination board stating "X11; Gorleston, Great Yarmouth then Norwich". A red bus is visible to the left of the image.Andrew Turner/BBC
Passenger Debbie Brown says she would have been confused about where to wait for her bus had she not been given some information from her bus-driving brother-in-law

Debbie Brown, 55, of Bradwell, said: "I'm really lucky my brother-in-law is a bus driver and he told me where to stand this morning.

"That's the most confusing thing [that buses now go the opposite direction] but I think it is money well spent."

Andrew Turner/BBC Harry Bonsell is wearing a white hoodie and straps of a black rucksack. He has medium-length receding dark hair and has a ginger beard and moustache. He is standing next to a yellow and blue X11 bus, with "Great Yarmouth, then Norwich" on the destination board. Route destinations depicted on the bus state Beccles, Gorleston and Lowestoft, with the text "direct between the city and sea" visible on the side of the bus.Andrew Turner/BBC
Harry Bonsell says the improvements will cut time off his bus journeys

Harry Bonsell, 29, of Thurton, near Norwich, said: "It's 100% better, [bus stops] a lot more closer together and a lot easier to get to now.

"Normally it's a 50-minute to an hour ride [from Norwich], and now it's going to be 40 minutes."

Andrew Turner/BBC Fresh asphalt laid on Deneside in Great Yarmouth, with a newly-painted white arrow road marking in the centre of the image denoting the change in direction of the one-way system. Behind the road is the side of Christchurch and other buildings on Deneside, with some vehicles parked.Andrew Turner/BBC
The direction of traffic on part of Deneside, pictured, as well as parts of King Street, Regent Road and Regent Street have changed

Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport at the county council, said: "This project represents another major investment in Great Yarmouth which seeks to build on the fantastic progress we've already made.

"We thank residents and local businesses for their patience whilst works have been carried out and we can now look forward to the benefit they will bring."

Listen: Changing direction in Great Yarmouth

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