Improvement works at Cromwell Avenue/Westbrook Crescent junction

A NEW programme of improvement works will be carried out at the Cromwell Avenue/Westbrook Crescent Junction in Westbrook during the next few months.

The council has taken on board all the detailed comments received about the junction from the public, ward and parish members, and local business and a series of improvements is due to start later this month including:

• Widening of the Cromwell Avenue northbound approach to the junction to create a left turn lane to reduce delays
• A signal controlled crossing across Ladywood Road with a central pedestrian island
• A bus lay-by on the south side of Westbrook Crescent (opposite the petrol station)
• CCTV to allow the junction to be monitored from the council’s traffic control room
• Changes to the sequence of traffic lights

Due to a number of factors including location of bus stops, proximity of other junctions, traffic speed and visibility, it is not possible to replace the roundabout and provide an acceptable level of pedestrian access to this important district centre.

In addition, to cope with the increase in traffic leaving Gulliver’s World during the summer we will add:

• a Diversion Strategy to direct traffic to alternative routes
• extra green time on the signals to Cromwell Avenue during high peaks of demand

The council has also been speaking to Asda about how its traffic demands affect the junction and what changes could be made to benefit local residents and shoppers.

It is anticipated that the changes we are introducing will deliver:

• additional capacity for cars - average delays to be reduced during peak periods
• improved pedestrian access
• a junction better able to cope with fluctuations in demand
• more reliable journey times for travellers

Delays will still be present at peak times but they will be significantly reduced in frequency and scale.

These changes will affect the way you use the junction so please drive with extra care as you get to know the new layout

Further information will be available on the council’s website and a leaflet will be delivered to households in the area later this month.

Ends

Issued by:  Joanna Driscoll, Principal Communications Officer
Date:   Wednesday 7 May, 2008
Release: Immediate