Coun Nigel Sherwood, who's now the Cabinet chief overseeing highways at North Lincolnshire Council, tells Brigg Blog the reason for the work on the traffic lights between Old Courts Road and Barnard Avenue is to ensure a better flow of vehicles along the A18 and its tributary roads.
Blog follower Ken Harrison had asked us to pose the question.
Regardless of how many times they adjust the lights, nothing seems to improve, Scribs.
ReplyDeleteThe lights seem determined to stop cars on the A18 (Barnard Ave), at times, to allow phantom vehicles to emerge from the side roads and then for unseen pedestrians to cross.
This has happened to me many times - even very early morning when I've been the only driver on the road - by the time the lights have been going thro' the enforced routine, there's enormous evolved traffic jam along Barnard Ave.
Admittedly, there are times during the day when vehicles in the side roads need the opportunity to emerge, but even when there a one, or two such cars, they seem to get a dispassionate-ratio amount of time, compared with drivers on Barnard Ave.
One has to pose the question whether (at certain times of the day) the traffic lights are exacerbating, or even causing the problem of poor traffic-flow.
Should the lights be temporary - ie be operational at certain times of the day...while during the other times, the side roads should be regarded as Give Way/Stop junctions.
Could the lights be fitted with a 'brain'? Computerised sensors could assess the respective volumes of traffic and adjust the light sequence/timings accordingly.
Replace the TL with a mini-roundabout....or a combination of a mini-roundabout with temporary operating traffic lights??
How the dickens did 'dispassionate' get in there, Scribs? I know me typing fingers have a mind of their own, at times..and letters and words become slightly confused....but 'dispassionate' - never!
ReplyDeleteI think it meant to say, 'disproportionate'.
We take your point, Ken. Over in Scunthorpe, long ago, a set of traffic lights was installed on the busy Ashby Road, outside what they now call Pittwood House. These help ensure that staff can get away from the offices without due delay. Heading back from Scunthorpe to Brigg the other evening, I was stopped by a red light and there was not a single car waiting to leave the entry road to the offices. I also noted an additional set of lights added near the Pods leisure development, just a few yards further along Ashby Road. If they took out both sets of lights and made drivers turn left (using the roundabout at Cottage Beck Road if they wished to go in the Brigg direction) would this make traffic flow more freely? In Brigg, I sometimes wonder whether taking out both sets of lights would actually speed things up (making motorists use the Monument and Ancholme Way roundabouts if wishing to 'double back'). Your thoughts....?
ReplyDelete