Traffic: how will Seamer Road cope?
New Lidl exit at one end and the longest-running ‘temporary’ road cones at the other
The Scarborough News is this week calling for a clearer strategy to deal with the issue of traffic on Seamer Road when the new Lidl store opens.
The Scarborough News is this week calling for a clearer strategy to deal with the issue of traffic on Seamer Road when the new Lidl store opens next year.
Users of the main artery are accustomed to long delays and the gridlock at peak times.
There are fears that this could worsen when the new supermarket and 45 homes on the former McCain Stadium site open as it has not been explained how traffic will exit from the store to the main road.
When the plans went before Scarborough Council last year, North Yorkshire County Council Highways Agency had “no objection” to the scheme, saying it would have “no adverse impact” on traffic using the road.
Money from Lidl as part of the development will be used to implement a new traffic light system at the junction of Queen Margaret’s Road in a bid to speed up the flow of traffic.
However, many motorists have to drive past the line of cones near the B&M store at the junction of Queen Margaret’s Road – a temporary solution that has turned into a permanent fixture after issues were discovered when the chain store opened.
There are now fears that something similar could happen again when Lidl opens.
Scarborough News reader Chris McLaren wrote on our Facebook page: “They’ll probably leave the cones there too like there is at B&M. Going to be a nightmare. Can’t see how it’s going to be anything but.”
Heidi Blake added: “I don’t think I’ve ever travelled down this road without it being at a standstill. The new Lidl and new homes will only make the situation 100 times worse.”
Judith Cappleman said: “Seamer Road seems to be at a permanent standstill. God help us when Lidl opens.”
Driver Julie Jackson added: “How long has B&M been there? It’s about time they got that silly bit of road sorted don’t you think?”
Regarding the B&M cones a county council spokesman said: “The county council is now developing a detailed design proposal that will be presented to the businesses for comments. In the meantime, the temporary cone arrangements will continue to be maintained in order to manage any safety and queuing problems.”