Southampton City Council has defended a ‘disappointing’ decision to not amend traffic signals on a major junction. The signal timing at the Tebourba Way and Romsey Road junction was changed in January to improve right turns at the junction, with the council saying this was due to reports of accidents, says the Daily Echo.
However, this led to an increase in congestion in the area, with Cllr Jeremy Moulton criticising the impact on residents.
In February the council confirmed the changes would be monitored for a fortnight, before a decision would be made on whether to revert to the original phasing or consider an alternative option. Southampton City Council have now confirmed no change will be made.
Cllr Moulton said: “This decision has come four weeks after the original two week period that was promised.
“It’s a disappointing decision and it’s disappointing that I had to raise it in a full council meeting to get an answer. This change has caused unnecessary traffic congestion and has affected people getting about, doing the school run and going to work.”
He added: “Millions of people use that junction every year, it’s a main route into the city and connects to the hospitals.
“I think it’s an overreaction, the number of accidents have been tiny compared with the enormous volume of traffic.”
Cllr Moulton said, according to the data, there has been one right-turn accident for every 750,000 right turns at the junction.
A spokesperson for Southampton City Council said: “At the Romsey Road/Tebourba Way junction, a significant number of incidents were recorded over a five‑year period, with several directly linked to right‑turning movements.
Meanwhile, Southampton City Council is planning to cut the speed limit to 20mph on several streets in the city.
The council has launched a consultation on the plans to reduce the speed limit on some forty roads near the Outdoor Sports Centre. The authority says the reduction of the speed limit, from 30mph, will reduce the danger to other people and traffic, as well as facilitating other road users including pedestrians.
It also lists among its reasons improving the air quality and preserving or improving the amenities of the area.
The council says the redevelopment of the sports centre is expected to lead to more vehicle trips to car parks and a rise in people walking and cycling to sports activities, events, and jobs there.
Lower speeds are intended to “avoid danger” and reduce both the risk and severity of collisions, particularly where there is a high likelihood of pedestrian and cyclist activity.
Officials argue 20mph will create safer, more comfortable conditions for walking and cycling, support wider transport and public health objectives, and contribute to better air quality.
(Picture: Mapillary)
