Response to ‘death trap’

Observer readers and WSCC have responded after the Northgate Gyratory was branded a ‘deathtrap’.

Improvements to the Northgate Gyratory are being considered to help improve cycling provisions in the city.

The proposed changes emerged after district councillor Clare Apel collided with a car while on her bike and condemned the roundabout as a ‘death trap’.

West Sussex County Council confirmed improvements were being considered along Oaklands Way and announced that further development was being looked at for the area.

A West Sussex County Council spokesperson said: “We are considering installing traffic ‘wands’ for segregation on the Northgate Gyratory and reducing the speed limit to 20mph.

“Re long-term planning: we have instructed consultants to undertake a Northern Gateway Transport

Feasibility Study, which will consider concept designs that could be developed as part of a wider Northern Gateway Masterplan.

“The study will develop and test a series of highway options to inform the wider Northern Gateway objectives within the Chichester Growth Programme and Chichester Vision.

“It will focus on safe access for pedestrians and cyclists while maintaining the function of the Northgate Gyratory.

“The study will consider the wider changes in pedestrian and cycle provision within Chichester to ensure connectivity and is planned to be completed in the autumn of 2020.

“The recommendations of the study will inform the longer-term planning around the Northern Gateway.”

Observer readers shared their views about the Northgate gyratory on social media.

Annie Freeman said: “If they keep wanting to make it safer for cyclists why don’t they do something for the poor people that work at Metro House that have to risk their lives every day with no safe place to cross at that roundabout.”

Kiah Essex said: “This is the only part of my commute I dread. Why they don’t have traffic lights there is beyond me.”

Jon Neilson said: “There have been so many incidents at this roundabout and at many more.

“Chichester cannot cope with the amount of traffic because of all the new houses.”

Christine Hurry said: “Perhaps we should take into account the amount of traffic unnecessarily using the gyratory as it’s quicker than driving round the ring road/ bypass?”

Share your views by sending them to news@ chiobserver.co.uk