Air Balloon roundabout plan was first suggested in 2010
CONTROVERSIAL proposals to modify the Air Balloon roundabout have been in the pipeline since as long ago as 2010, it has emerged.
Last month, the Highways Agency outlined intentions to introduce a no right turn at the notorious bottleneck junction for vehicles travelling on the A417 from Cirencester.
-
The Air Balloon roundabout
The scheme, aimed at improving air quality and traffic flow, is set to go on trial later this year.
Residents are unanimously against the idea, claiming it will put undue pressure on surrounding routes. They have also called for a proper public consultation before any trial.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
Now, it has been brought to light that the change was first mooted as long ago as 2010.
And it was further discussed at a meeting in March last year attended by then Government transport chief Mike Penning, county council leader Mark Hawthorne and Cotswolds MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown.
Councillor Paul Hodgkinson (LD, Church Valley) called for an explanation as to why residents had not been told about the scheme sooner.
He said: "Everyone was taken by surprise when the proposal for the Air Balloon roundabout was talked about.
"What we now know is that this was discussed last year by the Cotswolds MP and the leader of the county council.
"Why has this information taken so long to come out and why did the county council and our MP not consult with residents first before any proposal came out?"
An email leaked to the Echo showed the proposed changes were originally discussed at a county council stakeholder workshop back in 2010.
At the later meeting last March, the possibility of carrying out a trial was raised, with Mr Penning requesting a financial contribution from the county council. The authority has since agreed to put up £45,000 to support the scheme.
The Highways Agency said it had been working to assess the impact of proposed changes since March last year.
Mr Clifton-Brown (C, Cotswolds) said: "It's only a trial and if after six months we can see it hasn't worked then I will be the first to say we should scrap it.
"The fact is we have got an environmental problem with the poor air quality and this is a low cost scheme which could make a positive difference.
"But I want to make one thing clear – I am at the forefront of pushing for permanent improvements to congestion on the A417. It is one of the biggest issues holding back the local economy."
A Gloucestershire County Council spokesman said: "We have been working with the national Highways Agency for more than 10 years, looking at feasible improvements to the A417 Air Balloon roundabout.
"It is a Highways Agency responsibility and we have been pressing to ensure that there will be local engagement before this trial takes place."
4 Comments
by Jane__H
Thursday, January 31 2013, 9:19PM
“If the HA actually did a survey of how the traffic builds up and where the bottle neck is, introducing the no right turn is going to cause more traffic as the bottle neck is for traffic turning left!”
by thomas1996
Thursday, January 31 2013, 2:04PM
“Stupid idea - it will just move the traffic to the A46 roundabout as a queue of cars will have to drive down the Brockworth by-pass turn round and drive up the hill, an unnecessary extra 3-4 mile journey, OR cars will choose to carry on down the already congested Shurdington road towards their destination in Cheltenham.
The only solution is to create a dual left hand lane where the Air Balloon is and a larger roundabout which would provide a better route to the A436. Both pub and houses affected can be relocated further down towards Brockworth or at Birdlip.”
by justbecause
Thursday, January 31 2013, 8:37AM
“Stop messing around and dual track the lot. its not that hard to CPO the land and send the diggers in. DO THAT LITTLE JOB!”
by Matt1006
Thursday, January 31 2013, 8:29AM
“Shambles in the making. Not to mention just moving the congestion and pollution problems somewhere else - until the trial is complete and shows it's been more kill than cure, at which point the HA will be back to Square One, as will the issues at the Air Balloon / Crickley Hill / Birdlip / Nettleton Bottom / Missing Link in general.
But they seem determined to carry out this trial, so I guess we have to sit back and watch. Maybe it will all work out fine, and prove to have been worthwhile. But somehow I doubt it, as I suspect do the residents of the Shurdington Road.”