Traffic lights on St Margaret's Road to be switched off for trial
TRAFFIC lights along a busy road in Cheltenham will be switched off at the end of this month.
The lights along St Margaret's Road will be off from October 29 for a three-week trial in a bid to improve traffic flow in the area.
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Brewery traffic lights
Feedback from members of the public suggested the current system does not work well because they are poorly coordinated and encourage a build-up of vehicles in St Paul's.
Cheltenham Borough Council is hoping this will improve traffic and pedestrian flow, and reduce the likelihood of motorists speeding to beat the lights.
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Jeremy Williamson, managing director for Cheltenham Development Taskforce said: "We have known for a long time that motorists and pedestrians do not enjoy using this road as part of their journey.
"We fully welcome any opportunity to consider alternatives and this trial will be a good starting point for this.
"It will be interesting to see what the results are and this will guide a long-term solution for managing traffic in this area."
Chris Riley, highways manager for Gloucestershire Highways said: "We are pleased to be working in partnership with the borough council throughout this experiment and we are keen to see what lessons can be learned.
"We are committed to identifying the best possible traffic management solution for this complex stretch of road.''
Other towns, including Ashford, Portishead and Coventry have reported good results after removing traffic lights.
The trial will be monitored throughout by video recordings, daily inspections and police presence.
There will be temporary alternative routes for cyclists, with plans for new cycling paths in the pipeline.
A pedestrian crossing between the Brewery and NCP carpark will remain with additional central island crossing points.
Comments
by Louise9099
Friday, October 12 2012, 2:23PM
“@alfredo I take your point and do understand, but I don't think cyslists crossing four lanes of busy traffic on roundabouts is safe for either the cyclist or the car drivers!”
by OnTheSofa
Friday, October 12 2012, 2:18PM
“that cycle path down the side of the a40 is a nightmare to use with all the tree roots, wandering pedestrians and, worst of all, all the side-roads/entrances where cyclists risk getting cleaned out by cars not looking.
no thanks - i'll use the road on my bike tyvm and I'll keep myself and the pedestrians safe.”
by Alfredo_
Friday, October 12 2012, 1:59PM
“@Louise9099 - cycle paths aren't safe for cyclists who are travelling at around 20mph unless those paths are entirely seperate from pedestrians. If the cycle path is part of a shared-use surface then cyclists are better off on the road.”
by Louise9099
Friday, October 12 2012, 1:30PM
“Oh cyclists and cycle paths - don't get me started! Cycle paths are great - please just use them! Especially on all the roundabouts mentioned and along the A40 in Cheltenham”
by Louise9099
Friday, October 12 2012, 1:24PM
“Oh cyclists and cycle paths - don't get me started! Cycle paths are great - please just use them! Especially on all the roundabouts mentioned and along the A40 in Cheltenham”
by tykelip
Friday, October 12 2012, 11:24AM
“".....alternative routes for cyclists, with plans for new cycling paths in the pipeline."
Now that WILL be an interesting experiment!”
by RonSlater
Friday, October 12 2012, 10:44AM
“@valhalla, no worries, I probably should have been clearer.
@The anonymous naysayers who red arrowed my initial comment ( I really hate that system). Can any of you explain why what I said was so bad as to warrant your background jeers? How do you suggest cars coming from PE way onto GCHQ roundabout at peak times would actually get across, given that there is a pretty much constant flow of traffic coming from Arle Court and heading in to town? Why exactly are traffic lights a bad idea on this roundabout at peak times? Do you even drive?”
by valhalla2010
Friday, October 12 2012, 10:16AM
“Oh...... sorry.”
by RonSlater
Friday, October 12 2012, 10:05AM
“Valhalla, I wasnt responding to you.”
by valhalla2010
Friday, October 12 2012, 9:55AM
“@ RonSlater-
Anyone who can't read properly should not be commenting.
I quote from my post- "I can understand it at peak times..." Did you get that bit.... peak times.
No need for traffic lights to be in operation outside peak times.”