Changes at roundabout aim to reduce delays

The Highways Agency is proposing moving the pedestrian crossing and traffic lights further south on the A22 route.

The agency hopes drivers would face less delays on the roundabout.

A spokesman said: 'We will bid for funding and, pending the success outcome of that bid, the scheme could be carried out in the 2009 to 2010 financial year.

'The safety audit that we carried out did not raise any safety issues with the crossing.'

County councillors Roy Martin and Stephen Shing have both lobbied separately for changes.

Cllr Martin said: 'It has been hard work getting the agency to recognise they put the crossing in the wrong place but at least they have now done so.

'It has taken a while but at long last we are moving in the right direction.'

Cllr Shing said concerned pedestrians were contacting him daily about the lack of safe crossing facilities at the roundabout.

He said: 'Pedestrians need to get to allotments and access shopping facilities.

'They feel the current crossing set-up is far from safe.

'Cars approach from so many angles off the roundabout and towards the crossing.'

Three sets of the traffic lights were turned off in May 2006 after a technical problem caused confusion for motorists.

In August last year the Highways Agency scrapped two of the three pairs of lights.

The controversial traffic light scheme cost 600,000.