A CITY centre street could be closed to cars in a bid to make Nottingham Trent University feel more like a campus.
The Post can reveal that plans have been drawn up to make the university more pedestrian-friendly and boost the number of cycle parking spaces by 100.
People are being asked for their views on the plans and, if they are given the green light, they could be put into place as early as this autumn.
Traffic would be prevented from going down Shakespeare Street from the university's library through to its junction with South Sherwood Street, opposite the Orange Tree pub.
The council says the proposals to restrict traffic on Shakespeare Street to just buses, emergency vehicles and wheelchair-accessible taxis would complement developments under way by the university – which is creating a new students' union building with facilities and accommodation for over 900 students.
Head of traffic and safety at the city council Steve Hunt said: "The aim of these proposals is to create a more attractive environment.
"By restricting through-traffic, pedestrian safety would be greatly improved, the amenities of the university campus would be preserved and improved and students would be further encouraged to walk, cycle and use more public transport to get around the city and between campuses."
Ged O'Donoghue, director of estates and resources at the university, said: "Our proposals, if accepted, will greatly improve pedestrian safety along Shakespeare Street.
"As one of the greenest universities in the country, we're very keen to promote the use of public transport and to encourage people to walk and cycle as well."
Proposals for Shakespeare Street include:
A traffic-calming raised hump alongside Boots Library
Signed bus gates at either end of the street
Number plate recognition cameras to enforce restrictions
Zebra crossings at each end of the raised plateau
More than 100 cycle spaces
Removing loading/unloading and pay-and-display parking bays.
An increase in students in the city centre is expected to mean the number of pedestrians in the area will rise to more than 20,000 a day.
The number of people driving to the university since the mid-nineties has dropped from more than 40 per cent to 12 per cent.
More than a half of students and a quarter of staff now walk to university.
Consultation on the scheme remains open until May 21, with details available for inspection on request at Loxley House.
Any comments or objections should be sent to Ian Nash, Traffic and Safety, Nottingham City Council, Loxley House, Nottingham, NG2 3NG.
