£1.2m upgrade proposed for busy junction

DSCN2532

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.

Tags:
A34 Bypass, Alderley Road
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Duncan Herald
Friday 6th January 2017 at 9:39 am
Questions:

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.
Jon Williams
Friday 6th January 2017 at 10:10 am
Not sure if it means a three-lane approach Duncan, I think "adding another lane" means making two lanes coming from Wilmslow as the two-lanes go to one after Royal London until just before the roundabout.
Duncan Herald
Friday 6th January 2017 at 11:25 am
Hi Jon.
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?
Alan Brough
Friday 6th January 2017 at 2:52 pm
The addition of a third lane on the approach to the roundabout from Wilmslow will only help traffic turning left to join the northbound bypass - this is the least of the problems posed by the roundabout

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.
Paul Williams
Friday 6th January 2017 at 10:06 pm
Alan,
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.
Alan Brough
Friday 6th January 2017 at 11:20 pm
Hi Paul,

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.
Fiona Doorbar
Saturday 7th January 2017 at 7:02 am
Light are the best solution here to make flow of traffic even and fair , they would also act as an effective way to slow the speeders down.
Paul Williams
Sunday 8th January 2017 at 12:16 am
Not forgetting the cars which leave the roundabout towards Wilmslow without indicating,
Stella Mills
Thursday 12th January 2017 at 1:03 pm
What annoys me is approaching the roundabout from Wilmslow there are two lanes one pointing left and one pointing ahead to Alderley and right the bypass.On several occasions some one in the left lane continues round towards Alderley so the person in the correct lane gets hooted at for cutting up when both cars are going into one lane at the same time.I have not had the opportunity to point out to the driver to say he is wrong and I am in the correct .maybe the new layout will alleviate this.
David Hadfield
Thursday 12th January 2017 at 2:59 pm
I wholeheartedly agree with Stella's comments as above.

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 !
Craig Browne
Thursday 12th January 2017 at 5:38 pm
Hi Stella,

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
Pete Taylor
Saturday 14th January 2017 at 8:41 pm
As this road-widening scheme is shown on the planning application by Royal London, presumably they will be picking up the tab for it?
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.
Helen Gaughan
Sunday 15th January 2017 at 10:19 pm
Agree also with both Stella and David ...... When Charlie and I are in the correct right hand lane coming from Wilmslow back into the village on many occasions someone has cut us up from the left hand lane ..... Hopefully this proposal will alleviate such near-misses . And the speed of the vehicles approaching this roundabout ??!! Far too fast ..... I sit in the passenger seat wanting to press the brake pedal !!!