Turn lights out at the Whirlies?
Readers’radical plan to cut roads congestion
It may surprise a few people — but the Whirlies would be better off without traffic lights.
That is the view of a section of East Kilbride News readers.
Drivers in the town occasionally referred to as ‘Polo Mint City’ have called on Transport Scotland to reduce control at the major roundabout.
In a News poll on our Facebook page, 55 per cent of people felt that the traffic lights at the roundabout should be switched off permanently.
The results follow an electrical fault at the roundabout which shut off the lights during rushhour traffic one morning last month.
Many thought that, instead of travel chaos, their morning commute was made even easier.
And they called for the traditional rules of the road to be brought back.
Kirsty Caffrey said traffic lights should never have been put in, commenting: “I have always said the traffic lights should never have been installed!
“Completely defeats the point of a roundabout.”
“The whole point is to keep traffic flowing,” added Alan MacPhail.
“The best thing to do is get rid of the lights.”
David Ampleford felt that the Whirlies should be treated like any other roundabout.
“It didn’t used to have lights and people just had to rely on understanding roundabouts to get them through it,” he said.
“As if we don’t get a lot of practice in EK.”
Reader George Mooney thought that the lack of management improved the route.
He said: “I thought traffic flowed better than normal when I went through earlier, maybe we don’t really need the lights.”
Cara Fraser Rice felt there were greater issues at the roundabout, adding: “It was quicker without the lights but, in my opinion, they aren’t the issue — it’s people using the wrong lanes.
“The lanes badly need repainted for people who can’t follow them.”
However, a couple of readers were of the opinion that the lights should stay.
She said: “I remember when it didn’t have lights and there were many more accidents!
“I live right beside it and it was really common to see.”
“Please leave the lights where they are — especially at peak times,” pleaded Anne WeirMcGregor.
Several readers also commented that they felt Whitemoss roundabout, which is near St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School, the John Wright Sports Centre and the Kingsway should have lights implemented instead of at the Whirlies.
Kate Schofield added: “Whitemoss roundabout needs traffic lights. It’s shocking every single morning!”
A Transport Scotland spokesperson stated that there was no plans to change the layout of either roundabout at the moment.
The organisation said: “The lights at the Whirlies roundabout are needed to keep the area safe for all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users and there are no plans to remove them.
“They balance traffic flows for all arms of the roundabout and while taking them away may improve the flow at some junctions, it would increase queues at others.
“We monitor the full trunk road network, including Whitemoss roundabout, on annual basis to maintain safety and there is nothing to suggest that traffic lights are required there at this time.”