Council respond in traffic signal storm

COVENTRY City Council are aware of issues and complaints regarding the switchon of part-time traffic signals at a major junction.

Signals at the junction of A45 near Miller and Carter are supposed to be used when congestion builds up on the busy stretch of road.

But this week, after schools and workers returned to their routines after Christmas and new year, commuters travelling south out of the city via Leamington Road were caught in long queues heading towards the A45.

The traffic lights meant vehicles were queuing all the way back to Stivichall Croft, nearly a mile from the island, during the evening rush hour.

Before the lights were switched on, traffic would normally queue for about 0.1miles to get to the island where Miller and Carter and Robins and Day are located.

One frustrated driver said: “It was a nightmare. Presumably the lights are to help traffic move quicker but it is just the opposite.

“I don’t know what the affect is on traffic going up and down the A45 but it has choked Leamington Road.”

There were also long queues trying to reach the island from the direction of Stoneleigh - along St Martin’s Road.

In their original statement, the council said they have been working with traffic signal engineers and have seen a significant improvement in the traffic flow at the junction - despite motorists experiencing misery.

We asked the council what their aim was with the switch on of the lights, and if they had received any complaints about the traffic flow.

A spokesman said that complaints had been received and the authority would be monitoring the signals.

Below is what we asked, and the replies we received from the council:

There are a lot of drivers who are complaining about the traffic system that is supposed to help, not hinder.

Yes, we aware of the issues relating to the signals at the A45/Leamington Road and we have had a few complaints.

The reason the signals had previously not been operating was because the signals at this roundabout have been upgraded along with many others along the whole of the A45 in Coventry. The final work is scheduled to be undertaken over the next few weeks which will further improve the management of traffic flows.

What we can say is that the signals are in place to manage the flow of traffic in all directions at the junction.

The signals are necessary as the dominant flow of traffic is along the A45 and without them operating vehicle access

We will continue to closely monitor the traffic from our Urban Traffic Control Centre to ensure that flows are managed effectively. Signal engineers are also on site to monitor the signals and to make amendments to the timings.

The upgrade links the signals along the stretch of the A45 more intelligently and will make them more adaptive to changing traffic conditions and enabling us to manage the traffic more effectively.

We can assure motorists and residents that we take any concerns they have seriously and apologise for the delays.