Delays as works on A45 gets underway
ROAD improvement works on the A45 aimed at reducing congestion and improving safety are already causing major delays before work proper has begun.
Motorists have faced long queues after preliminary works got under way at the junction at Finham, though much of the work has been timed to fit in with the school holidays in a bid to keep disruption to a minimum.
One commuter told the Telegraph delays around the junction added between 20 minutes and half-an-hour to their commute into Coventry this morning.
An extra lane is to be added to the roundabout on the A45 at the Leamington Road and St Martin’s Road junction at Finham along with two pedestrian crossings after the project was funded by the government’s Local Growth Fund through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP).
Currently, there are three lanes for motorists using the busy roundabout but no pedestrian crossings. The junction improvements will start on Sunday July 23 and are expected to last for three months.
One or two lanes will be closed while the road improvements are carried out.
The scheme will also involve adding two pedestrian crossings either side of the roundabout. Peak-time traffic signals will be installed which can be activated at busy times during the day to improve the traffic flow.
Jonathan Browning, chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said the work was getting under way proper at the start of the school summer holidays to keep disruption to a minimum.
He said: “The Local Growth Fund was set up to enable LEPs to fund projects which benefit the local area and economy and there is no doubt easing traffic congestion and improving pedestrian safety at the Leamington Road and St Martin’s Road junction on the A45 will achieve that.
“This traffic improvement programme will make a major difference to thousands of motorists who use this busy roundabout on a daily basis as well as pedestrians who will be able to cross the dual carriageway safely.”
Coventry City Council consulted with Finham Parish Council and Finham Residents Association and residents asked if the scheme could be extended to ease congestion for drivers entering and leaving Erithway Road to prevent a backlog of traffic along St Martin’s Road.
Councillor Jayne Innes, cabinet member for city services at Coventry City Council, said: “Following the consultation, we have listened to the concerns of residents and council officers are now investigating if the scheme could involve adding traffic lights at Erithway Road.
“Ideally, we would like to be able to incorporate this work as part of the upcoming A45 scheme.
“I know residents have had concerns about pedestrian safety and installing the traffic signal controlled pedestrian lights will be a great benefit.”