The Lovely Lane/Bewsey Road junction is an existing junction controlled by traffic lights, which is the crossroads of two key routes providing access to jobs, schools and leisure facilities.

The corridors surrounding the junction are key links on the council’s cycling and walking strategic neighbourhood route network as defined in the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

Our transport data and traffic modelling tells us that there is a clear need for active travel improvements at this location.

We know that cycling through this junction is difficult and at times dangerous. Junctions such as this are often where actual and perceived risk to cycle safety are highest. This can be a deterrent for people making short trips by bike, particularly for families and the less confident.

The existing road surface at the junction is in very poor condition. There is also a need to replace the traffic signals.

All of these things together provides us with an opportunity to deliver a single combined scheme. This would reduce disruption and provide better value for money.

Work to improve the junction will include resurfacing of the full junction, repositioning of islands and street lighting columns as well as upgrading the traffic signals. The intention is to provide a Cycle Optimised Protected Signals junction.

Commonly known as ‘CYCLOPS’, this is a type of junction which separates people walking, cycling and wheeling from motorised traffic, reducing the risk of collisions or conflict between users.

The primary feature is an external orbital cycle track that circles the junction and protects people cycling from general traffic, allowing everyone to use it safely.

People cycling can make a right turn at the junction and complete the turn in one movement – removing the need to cross traffic lanes or make the turn in multiple crossing stages.

The traffic signals will operate as they do currently with separate stages for east/west & north/south traffic. The same number of traffic lanes will be retained.

The CYCLOPS layout have a number of benefits over other junction layouts, including:

• Crossing times for people walking are shorter and closer to desire lines
• Separation of people cycling from motor vehicles and from people walking
• The signal phase for people walking and cycling can run at the same time
• Optimises the overall junction performance for all modes.

Our traffic modelling has shown that there is little impact on the overall performance of the junction.

We anticipate that works will start in Spring 2023 and be completed in Autumn 2023.

The council will be co-ordinating works and striving to minimise disruption to the traveling public. Local residents will be advised of any restriction to access.