Closed
Excessive delays. Excessive time spent completing works.
Reported via mobile in the Traffic lights (NH) category anonymously at 19:13, Monday 20 May 2024
Sent to National Highways less than a minute later. FixMyStreet ref: 5998622.
Massive delays again at this junction that has been plagued by delays caused by the new by-pass that had only been completed for a couple of weeks when new work began on pedestrian crossing and cycle lanes that could have been completed at the same time as the by-pass works? These latest works have been going on for over 2 months for what appears to be no more than a couple of pedestrian crossings and a cycle lane. It's excessive and inexplicable and causing misery for hundreds of motorists for weeks on end.
Updates
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Thank you for your report on Monday 20 May regarding our improvement works to Mains Lane and a recent issue with congestion at Shard Junction.
We sincerely apologise for any delay or inconvenience that has been caused to road users due to our work at Shard junction. We’re aware there was an issue with congestion and long journey times from Over Wyre for a short period recently, which we’ve worked hard to resolve as quickly as possible.
The work to upgrade Shard Junction is an important element of the improvements to Mains Lane, which involves complex activities in a tight working area. Where possible we’ve tried to maintain a temporary traffic light system similar to the usual operation of the junction (a 2-way system, meaning that Mains Lane can stop/go and Shard Road can stop/go).
However, for a short period we had to implement a 3-way traffic light system (so each junction arm is separately controlled), which occurred recently to install cables across the width of the road. The revised temporary traffic light layout was required to ensure safe working conditions for our operatives, which is one of our key priorities. Unfortunately, this most recent change to 3-way control led to high levels of congestion.
We worked as quickly as possible to return the lights back to a 2-way control system and bring traffic back to normal levels. We also arranged for the traffic lights to be attended by specialist staff during peak times so they can be adjusted manually. During off-peak times the timing of the lights has been adjusted to increase more green time allowing more traffic through. These changes quickly improved in traffic flows.
There are still some critical construction activities remaining at Shard Junction, such as constructing new islands and laying more cables across Mains Lane, which pose a challenge to do without any disruption. However, we will endeavour to maintain the 2-way traffic control system to keep traffic to normal levels. Where this is not possible, we will look to undertake essential work at night during off-peak times to keep disruption to a minimum.
In addition, we have some planned closures coming up on Mains Lane and Lodge Lane but will keep people fully informed prior to these taking place. We’re planning to finish the work in summer 2024 and it includes:
• completing a new traffic island at Shard Road junction • upgrading traffic signals at Shard Road and Singleton junction and installing new pedestrian crossings • moving the bus stop from Shard Road to Mains Lane and installing tactile paving to improve pedestrian safety • installing new cycle lanes on the carriageway between Shard Road junction and Little Singleton • changing the road layout at Little Singleton to improve traffic flows and reduce congestion
We would like to take this opportunity to apologise sincerely for the disruption this has caused to you and other road users. I hope the above information has helped answer your queries. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Kind regards,
The A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool team
State changed to: Closed
Posted by National Highways at 15:09, Monday 3 June 2024
This report is now closed to updates from the public. You can make a new report in the same location.