The Derby Road/Nottingham Road roundabout, near Asda in Spondon(Image: Google)
Controversial plans to put traffic lights around a busy Derby island have been played down by leaders – but fears linger they may be a ‘foregone conclusion’.
Deep concerns were raised in January that proposals to signalise the Spondon/A52 roundabout near Asda supermarket could lead to traffic chaos.
A document with drawings stated the scheme aims to “signalise the roundabout to provide greater control of traffic flows and how it operates”.
Join us on WhatsApp to get the latest news straight to your phone
But Derby City Council’s leader for transport Councillor Carmel Swan has said surveillance was taking place over “potential options for improving the junction” and there were currently “no proposals or options for consideration or consultation”.
Proposals were outlined in East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) papers for a series of traffic lights to be installed at various locations around the island. There are currently no lights at the roundabout.
New cycle lanes are also proposed in a bid “to provide improved connectivity and accessibility by active travel modes at the roundabout”.
Spondon councillor Jonathan Smale has raised deep concerns about the proposal to signalise the junction, claiming the island was actually “one of the better ones” for traffic flow – because there are no lights.
However, he does support ideas to improve the layout of the roundabout or improve visibility.
Read more – Big fire at derelict house near Rollerworld that some didn’t notice was there
Mr Smale has written to leading officials at Derby City Council and EMCCA to outline his concerns about the proposed scheme. He says nobody in the area had asked for this proposal to come forward.
He said: “The roundabout itself is not widely regarded as fundamentally broken or in need of wholesale change. ”
But it has come to light Derby city leaders have played down the proposal, suggesting current survey work “is very much exploring what may or may not be possible”.
Cllr Swan writes in her letter to Mr Smale: “Whilst noting your early concerns and ensuring that officers are aware, it is far too early to object to something that has yet to be fully investigated and where options have still to be developed.”
Cllr Smale told residents in response on the Spondon Councillors’ Facebook page: “I still stand firm that fully signalising the roundabout is the wrong approach. By all means, improve junction layouts and pedestrian footpaths around the roundabout, which I believe many people would support.
“However, I can’t help but feel that, with the potential (housing) developments coming forward in Spondon, this (full signalisation) could become a foregone conclusion.”
