The bus gate on Mill Road, which permitted only buses, cycles and pedestrians to cross the bridge, was installed as part of a Government COVID-19 initiative to promote measures that enable people to maintain a safe distance on busy streets. The County Council used an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), which allowed the scheme to be installed without pre-consultation. Consultation was carried out in December 2020, following which the bus gate was removed pending further consultation.
A new TRO was published and consulted on in August–September 2024, designed to permit pedestrians, cyclists, buses, emergency service vehicles, refuse vehicles, dial-a-ride, all taxis (hackney carriages and private hire), and vehicles registered by a Blue Badge holder. SoPRA submitted a response on 13 September 2024, which can be read here.
The County Council granted the TRO to reinstall the bus gate on the bridge on 4 October 2024. Installation is expected to be completed before the end of 2024.