Cheshire East Council is currently consulting on its Pre-Budget document, which sets out proposals to save £94m and balance the books during the three year period from 2017 to 2020.
In addition to proposals to cut costs, the report contains new infrastructure projects and other proposals designed to open up opportunities for businesses and create jobs.
Included in the Pre-Budget Consultation is a proposal to spend £1.2m improving the Alderley Road and A34 junction and access for pedestrians.
The report states "The junction between Alderley Road and the A34 in Wilmslow adjacent to the Royal London site acts as a pinch point in the highway network with regular congestion occurring, particularly at peak times associated with the adjacent existing employment site traffic.
"The proposal is to widen the Alderley Road approach to the A34 roundabout, adding an extra lane, to increase junction capacity. Additionally, it is proposed that associated improvements to pedestrian and cycle access to the adjacent existing employment site are provided to encourage access by means other than car.
"The aim of the improvements is to reduce congestion on the highway network by increasing capacity and reducing traffic to and from the employment site."
Councillor Craig Browne said "I have not yet given my full response to the pre-budget consultation; however, I do welcome the proposal to improve the approach to the roundabout, which lies just inside the Alderley Edge Ward Boundary.
"The existing layout and configuration often causes unnecessary gridlock and I am pleased that Cheshire East Highways have now recognised this problem.
"I also welcome much needed improvements to the existing pedestrian and cycle routes, but would hope that the project can be completed for less than the proposed £1.2m, which at face value seems quite expensive."
What do you think about the current situation at this junction and the proposals? Share your views via the comment box below.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
1. If there is to be a three-lane approach, from the Alderley Edge end of Alderley Road, to the A34 roundabout, how far back, from the roundabout towards Alderley Edge, will the three-lane proposal extend?
2. If, as may be likely, there will be two of the three lanes carrying traffic into Wilmslow (and one lane carrying traffic onto the A34 towards Manchester) will the road leading off the roundabout towards Wilmslow have to be widened as well? Or will it be two lanes sqeezing into one lane, as you come off the roundabout? Would that then simply cause the roundabout to be clogged up?
Any guidance would be appreciated.
You may be right but are there not already a de facto two lanes as cars approach the A34 roundabout ffrom the Wilmslow end?
Does all this just mean that the pedesrian bit, near the roundabout, will be removed?
I'm still a tad confused; perhaps a diagrom of the propsed changes, from C.E. might help?
The real problem is for traffic either heading toward Alderley Edge or the southbound bypass. The roundabout is small and the speed at which cars negotiate it, combined with poor signalling, means that you can sit for several minutes building up the courage to shut your eyes, hit the throttle and hope for the best!
I hesitate to suggest it but the volume of traffic using the roundabout really necessitates traffic lights to control it.
Currently the left lane approaching the roundabout is for northbound A34 only.
The right lane is for A/E bound and A34 southbound traffic.
As you say, it is the right lane which has more congestion so a third lane would surely improve this as each exit could have their own lane.
I'm not sure it is the perfect solution but it would definitely help.
You may be right but I find that the speed at which traffic comes round the roundabout, makes entry to it quite difficult for cars heading toward Alderley or the s/b A34.
This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the structure of the centre of the roundabout blocks vision of approaching traffic until it is in the final quarter.
The extra lane might help in shepherding traffic into the roundabout approach, but there's still the leap of faith required to actually get onto it.
It's most annoying when you're in the correct lane going round the roundabout and some twerp is also coming round on the inside lane ...... the very same inside lane that should be taken when going towards Wilmslow, and NOT Alderley Edge.
Why accidents don't occur here every single day must be down to the good sense of the driver in the correct lane giving way to the twerp !
You are quite right and the proposals should help to address this problem. As part of my own response to the consultation, I have also said that I believe the road markings indicating which lane is for turning left, right or straight ahead need to be repeated much further back from the roundabout. Currently, drivers need to be practically on the roundabout itself before it is clear which lane they need to be in. Perhaps for local drivers who are familiar with the layout, this isn't such a problem, but for visitors or other drivers who may not be so familiar, it does cause confusion.
Kind regards,
Craig
It also involves the removal of over twenty trees subject to preservation order and the widening (replacement?) of the bridge over the Whitehall Brook.
The Ward CEC Councillor for the bit of Fulshaw involved has several times voted for the removal of Green Belt protection for the land owned by Royal London, against the express wishes of his electors and is on record singing their praises.