As you can imagine I’ve been inundated with comments from people talking about their deep concerns over the traffic chaos in Newtown. Police have also received numerous complaints.
There are two issues here, the first is the unacceptable design of the new traffic lights system that replaced the Pool Road roundabout, and the second is the failure to date to synchronise the new system with other traffic lights thought the town as was proposed.
To most motorists a green light means go and the current layout is causing confusion on priority. There has already been a number of minor bumps and this must now be considered as a major accident waiting to happen. I’ve never before seen a four way junction without filter lanes. Along with other Newtown Councillors I demanded that an independent road safety audit be carried out urgently.
The County Times has reported that the Council are blaming Tesco. Planning conditions required that before the store can open, all the traffic works must be completed and tested to the Planning Authority’s satisfaction.
Personally, although I think a degree of blame should be placed with Tesco, I believe the major part should to directed towards WAG, after all, they are responsible for the trunk road, the Assembly department approved the removal of the roundabout and the layout and design of the new traffic lights.
I was told today that the Assembly’s experiences elsewhere indicates that traffic flows will improve as drivers become familiar with the new layout and that WAG does not intend therefore to make any fundamental changes immediately. I accept that flow will improve a little as drivers get used to the layout, but WAG are just not in touch with what is happening here in Newtown and are making excuses.
I also understand that the software that will synchronise the signals through Newtown will be installed at the beginning of next week, the WAG are anticipating that flows will be further improved as signal operation is optimised during the week, unfortunately, I don’t have the same degree of confidence .
The current chaos is causing huge damage to the local economy and the wider Mid Wales community. Businesses to the West of Newtown are suffering the most. Newtown is a central point in Wales but even businesses as far away as Aberystwyth may be effected by this mess. Running a business in Mid Wales is tough enough already. The last thing we need is a new traffic layout which makes things a whole lot worse. Its just not good enough to say that the problems may be fixed in two or three weeks, It should be fixed now. WAG must be held accountable for this completely unacceptable situation. Tesco consultants and the WAG will have to come up with better solutions and fast.
Posted by russellgeorge 