Transport boss Peter Hardy 'frustrated' by junction problems

4:20pm Tuesday 24th July 2012 in News By Lawrence Dunhill

Cllr Peter Hardy Cllr Peter Hardy

A TRANSPORT chief has admitted his frustration at the continuing problems with the traffic lights at a major junction in Gerrards Cross.

The parish council recently conducted an extensive survey involving 2,000 villagers – saying it revealed "overwhelming dissatisfaction" with the junction on Packhorse Road, outside Tesco.

It said county chiefs had refused to acknowledge the ‘serious and potentially dangerous problems’ experienced by pedestrians at the junction.

The survey revealed that many motorists now used Bull Lane and Marsham Lane to avoid the queues at the lights, as well as comments about the pedestrian refuges being too small and the elderly and partially sighted having trouble crossing the road.

Peter Hardy, transport boss at Bucks County Council, said: "Like a lot of people I am frustrated with the history of continuing software issues with the timings of these traffic lights.

"This has gone on far too long. I am therefore including these lights in a full external review of our traffic light systems in Wycombe and Aylesbury to be commenced as soon as possible after the school holidays."

He said the survey by Gerrards Cross Parish Council was "very helpful in highlighting residents' views", but said comments about the junction being a "death trap" were unhelpful.

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He added: "The developer has undertaken a road safety audit at the traffic lights.

"This audit has been reviewed by Transport for Buckinghamshire in line with BCC processes. Also there have been no reported injury incidents at these lights in nearly two years of operation.

"There is no evidence which justifies the use of the words "death trap" and people should be reassured on this point.

"We cannot change the fact that we have a large supermarket in the middle of a small village with very limited road capacity. This will inevitably impact on traffic flows. The job of the traffic lights is to regulate these flows."

Comments (6)

5:46pm Tue 24 Jul 12

ivor says...

What about all the junctions in Wycombe that now have queues backing up from them since traffic lights were either installed or the timing changed?
~
In West Wycombe Road (junction with Desborough Avenue) and further along (at Plomer Hill) the queues stretch back for hundreds of yards and it only started since the timing of the lights was changed.
~
Approaching the Desborough Av. lights from Wycombe cars use the lane to Downley to overtake cars waiting in the queue and it really is a death trap, several times I have nearly been hit while making my way home. Its about time those in charge took responsibility for the bungles they have created when updating the lights.
~
Not only does the timing of the lights need changing at multiple junctions around Wycombe but I fear those who created and preside over this mess need changing too....
~
Have you read Ivor’s blog today? Click on the “BLOGS” link at the top of the page.
What about all the junctions in Wycombe that now have queues backing up from them since traffic lights were either installed or the timing changed? ~ In West Wycombe Road (junction with Desborough Avenue) and further along (at Plomer Hill) the queues stretch back for hundreds of yards and it only started since the timing of the lights was changed. ~ Approaching the Desborough Av. lights from Wycombe cars use the lane to Downley to overtake cars waiting in the queue and it really is a death trap, several times I have nearly been hit while making my way home. Its about time those in charge took responsibility for the bungles they have created when updating the lights. ~ Not only does the timing of the lights need changing at multiple junctions around Wycombe but I fear those who created and preside over this mess need changing too.... ~ Have you read Ivor’s blog today? Click on the “BLOGS” link at the top of the page. ivor

8:10pm Tue 24 Jul 12

bluebanana says...

One of the reasons I avoid driving into/through Wycombe at all times. I find it quicker to drive around Wycombe than taking a more direct route through it. So if people at the council are thinking about how to encourage shoppers/trade - sorting out your nightmare traffic will go a long way.
One of the reasons I avoid driving into/through Wycombe at all times. I find it quicker to drive around Wycombe than taking a more direct route through it. So if people at the council are thinking about how to encourage shoppers/trade - sorting out your nightmare traffic will go a long way. bluebanana

8:51pm Tue 24 Jul 12

Mr Totterdge Hill says...

Roundabout...
Roundabout... Mr Totterdge Hill

9:53am Wed 25 Jul 12

Agniesca says...

A good day is one where the lights at the top of Marlow Hill have failed
A good day is one where the lights at the top of Marlow Hill have failed Agniesca

7:54pm Wed 25 Jul 12

washondo says...

bluebanana wrote:
One of the reasons I avoid driving into/through Wycombe at all times. I find it quicker to drive around Wycombe than taking a more direct route through it. So if people at the council are thinking about how to encourage shoppers/trade - sorting out your nightmare traffic will go a long way.
If you have the option to drive round rather than through, that may very well be the objective of the planners.
~
What about a new car park - say - where the Eden is? That should encourage shoppers.
~
BCC, however sadly, think that a magic roundabout (they're not really magic; they just work) is a childrens' TV programme. Wycombe hasn't been the same since they took charge of the roads.
~
At least half of the transport department would be redundant if they didn't have traffic lights to replan and their proven-to-be-inept "safety" considerations to waste their time on.
Can we have our roadmen back? Engineers preferably, not mouse drivers?
[quote][p][bold]bluebanana[/bold] wrote: One of the reasons I avoid driving into/through Wycombe at all times. I find it quicker to drive around Wycombe than taking a more direct route through it. So if people at the council are thinking about how to encourage shoppers/trade - sorting out your nightmare traffic will go a long way.[/p][/quote]If you have the option to drive round rather than through, that may very well be the objective of the planners. ~ What about a new car park - say - where the Eden is? That should encourage shoppers. ~ BCC, however sadly, think that a magic roundabout (they're not really magic; they just work) is a childrens' TV programme. Wycombe hasn't been the same since they took charge of the roads. ~ At least half of the transport department would be redundant if they didn't have traffic lights to replan and their proven-to-be-inept "safety" considerations to waste their time on. Can we have our roadmen back? Engineers preferably, not mouse drivers? washondo

5:43pm Thu 26 Jul 12

Woosters says...

The two sets of traffic lights are too close together. Remove the lights at packhorse road altogether- problem solved.
The two sets of traffic lights are too close together. Remove the lights at packhorse road altogether- problem solved. Woosters

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