Works at Civic Centre gyratory causing traffic delays (From Bournemouth Echo)

Works at Civic Centre gyratory causing traffic delays

3:07pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News By Diana Henderson

PEAK time traffic delays are being caused by improvements to Poole’s Civic Centre gyratory traffic lights.

Lane closures around the Parkstone Road/Sandbanks Road system are in place and pedestrian crossings temporarily out of use as Borough of Poole carries out the work, budgeted at £275,000.

“They have removed all traffic lights with no thought for pedestrians struggling to cross,” said an Echo reader, who pointed out the traffic was flowing more freely as a result.

“However, this made it almost impossible to cross safely. Anywhere else, there would have been temporary lights. Why not here?”

John Rice, engineering manager, Borough of Poole said: “The current phase of improvement works at the Civic Centre gyratory should be completed within the next two weeks.

“We will be upgrading the signals at each junction separately and have signposted alternative pedestrian routes to make people aware of the safest crossing point.”

He said: “We did consider installing temporary crossing facilities but given that these works are short-term, and there are a number of alternatives in the vicinity, this was not considered necessary.

“We would like to thank people for their patience while these works are carried out,” he added.

The over half-a-million pound scheme will refurbish the existing signals, provide new kerbs and advanced stop lines.

The purpose is to reduce power consumption and improve the carbon footprint and running cost, better linking of individual junctions will lead to reduced congestion and allow bus priority, improve cycling and pedestrian facilities and replace old equipment.

It is part of a £12million-plus local sustainable transport fund to be spent across Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch.