Proposals presented for crossroads traffic lights

Gawsworth has long discussed the need for improved road safety at the crossroads and in the 2016 Neighbourhood Plan survey it was the top road safety concern in the community. The A536 had been named one of the most dangerous roads in the country between Congleton and Macclesfield and in 2016 Cheshire East Council was invited to apply for the Government Safer Roads Fund to improve safety along the road.

The application (see here) included the following provision:

The signal installation at the Dark Lane/Church Lane junction will also alleviate the right turn and junction overshoot problem at that location. Improving route guidance and visual cues to drivers through improved carriageway making and signalling will lead to improved decision making and improved hazard perception.

Since Cheshire East Council was awarded the funds in 2018, Gawsworth Parish Council has been seeking information on the detailed proposals for the village.

In October 2022, Cheshire East Highways attended a parish council meeting, providing an update on the scheme. In relation to the traffic lights, the council was advised that proposals were based on the number of accidents between 2011-2016 and that the number had reduced in the period 2017-2021; it was explained that Cheshire East Highways would review whether lights were appropriate at the junction or alternative measures would better increase safety.

In November 2022, Cheshire East Highways advised that following this review, the recommendation was for a traffic signal junction with signalised pedestrian crossing provision to be installed. Over the past year, the Parish Council has been seeking the detailed proposals from Cheshire East Council to review.

At the October 2023 Parish Council meeting, Cheshire East Highways presented the draft scheme. Under this scheme:

• The bus stop south of Church Lane would be relocated to near Forge Close
• A pedestrian controlled crossing would be installed north of the crossroads across the A536
• Kerbs would be realigned outside the Old Post Office
• The lights would operate on a 90s cycle with early release for cyclists and stop boxes for cyclists

Vehicle tracking had been undertaking to track large vehicles and the stop lines would be set back on Dark Lane and Church Lane to accommodate movements. It was confirmed the equipment was ordered in the spring and that works should commence in the first months of 2024.

At the Parish Council meeting residents and councillors raised a number of comments/concerns, some speaking in support of the proposed traffic signals, other comments summarised as:

• It is alarming that the proposals are going ahead without public consultation
• There is concern alternatives have not been given due consideration
• Has a risk assessment and cost benefit analysis been undertaken?
• Concern was expressed that the proposed crossing does not provide adequate safe access to the Methodist Church as pedestrians have little pavement and no safe crossing on Dark Lane
• It was queried how vehicles exiting the Methodist Church car park would be impacted by traffic queues and whether a ‘keep clear’ box could be installed
• It was queried if the north-bound bus stop be relocated outside the Methodist Church to enable a crossing to be installed south of the crossroads to provide safe access to both
• Whether there had been a review of traffic data post-COVID
• Whether consideration had been given to lowering the speed limit on the A536 instead
• Concern that the traffic waiting at lights will encourage drivers to seek to bypass the crossroads via Lowes Lane and Maggoty Lane/Church Lane
• Whether the signals would be ‘smart’ and manage queues
• What the construction programme would be and whether residents more directly affected would be consulted
• Whether the queue lengths and traffic flows through the lights had been modelled
• A request for the extension of the no overtaking lines
• What provision would be made for safe and convenient access/egress from driveways onto stretches of roads where queues may form from the traffic lights
• What provision would be made to ensure lights did not affect neighbouring properties
• Whether there would be any street lighting or double yellow lines installed
• Whether the proposal had been modelled with forecast traffic flows from strategic developments

Cheshire East Highways advised that:

• The original bid was submitted to the Safer Roads Fund in 2017 and the bid included information on the costs and accident date. A review in 2022 concluded the proposed scheme should proceed
• There had not been a re-count of traffic post-COVID but the observed traffic flows were similar and the collision data had been reviewed [Post-meeting note: it was clarified that a count was undertaken in 2021 and that DfT data suggests average daily flows on the A536 have returned to similar figures to pre-COVID)
• That Dark Lane was challenging as there was insufficient space to create additional footway
• That speed limits had been reviewed in line with guidance from the Department for Transport and Policing guidance as well as the Cheshire East Council Speed Management Strategy which all indicate that a 40mph limit is appropriate for the road and that a 30mph limit would not be supported
• The traffic signals would be ‘smart’ and monitor traffic queues. Algorithms would determine the appropriate light cycle based on observed traffic and normal traffic observations.
• That he would check the modelling data with regard to the number of vehicles which would pass through lights per cycle and that the previous temporary lights on the A556 involved lane closures
• There are no proposals for the installation of streetlights nor double yellow lines as part of the scheme
• The works would likely take 2-3 months with a mixture of traffic signals and road closures for excavations and resurfacing.
• When planning works consultation will take place with residents directly affected
• The lights would be positioned to minimise any light pollution to buildings to which they are adjacent
• No strategic models exist for the traffic expected from the strategic developments [Post-meeting note: it was clarified that a traffic model for the junction has been produced using data from 2021)

Cheshire East Highways is currently revising its proposals following feedback at the meeting – this includes providing information on predicted queue lengths and how many cars would make it through each light cycle, assessing pedestrian access to the Methodist Church and checking to ensure driveways near stop lines will not be restricted.

Questions about the proposals can be asked via saferroadsfund@cheshireeasthighways.org. This is a dedicated email address for questions about the scheme. Whilst the email address can be used to inform CEC Highways of objections, they will review the comments received and any questions will be answered where possible. However, Cheshire East Highways has confirmed that it does not intend to review the decision on installing traffic signals.

Cheshire East Highways will be providing the Parish Council with a set of revised draft plans in advance of its next meeting on 14th November.

The Parish Council will formally be discussing the proposals at this meeting where a decision will be taken on their position to feed back to Cheshire East Highways.  As always you can write to: clerk@gawsworthpc.org.uk to share your views, or contact any parish councillor.