Council leader raises traffic light concerns with Highways Agency
The Leader of Shropshire Council, has held urgent talks with the Highways Agency about a £3.8m project designed to improve a busy roundabout near Shrewsbury.
Concern has been raised by drivers about the potential impact of traffic lights which are due to be installed at Preston Boats roundabout, and Councillor Keith Barrow put those concerns to the Highways Agency yesterday.
He said:
“I said to them that if the roundabout has to have traffic lights, can’t they at least be used part-time?
“To be fair to the Highways Agency, they listened to my concerns and said although the lights would initially be full-time, they would see how things go once they start working with a view to potentially switching them off at quieter times.”
The project is part of the Highways Agency’s ‘pinch point’ programme, and aims to reduce congestion and improve journey times on the A5 around Shrewsbury.
Work will begin on Monday 9 June 2014 at the Preston Boats roundabout, with work expected to be finished by December 2014.
Preston Boats island will be totally redesigned and traffic lights and Emstrey island will benefit from several approaches being widened and widening of the island itself to provide three lanes with traffic lights.
Highways Agency Project Manager, Jess Kenny said:
“These are two very busy islands and these improvements will really make a difference to drivers’ journeys, easing congestion especially at peak times, which can only help the local economy.
“To minimise disruption, we will carry out the majority of the work with lane closures at night, but some full closures will also be needed between the hours of 7pm and 7am. I advise people to leave longer for their journeys as diversions will be necessary at times and reduced speed limits will be in place to protect workers and the public.”
