Two traffic projects in running for UK prize

May 9 2008 Chester Chronicle

TWO Cheshire County Council projects, both based in Chester, have been shortlisted for National Transport Awards.

A scheme which involves new traffic lights, signs and talking to local people who use the A41 has already been highly commended by the North West branch of the Institution of Highways and Transportation.

The other project put forward for a National Transport Award is a £1.3m project which transformed outside Chester Railway Station.

“It is wonderful news that these two projects have been shortlisted for National Transport Awards, said executive member for highways and transportation Eveleigh Moore-Dutton.

“Both, in their own way, have dared to be different and have challenged the concept of usual highway schemes.”

The A41 scheme covered a 9km stretch of road which was one of the worst stretches in Cheshire for road crashes.

A hard-hitting pamphlet was delivered to local homes in the CH2 and CH3 areas.

Five hot spots were picked out – Sainsbury’s Roundabout, Vicar’s Cross Crossroads, Hoole Roundabout and lastly Mannings Lane and Plas Newton Lane junctions – where traffic lights were erected.

Crash hot spot signs have been erected following consultation with local focus groups, a red-light safety camera installed at Vicars Cross and improved road markings provided at Hoole Roundabout.

Local people also took part in safer driving courses run by the county council’s Road Safety Unit.

A £1.3m project was also undertaken to remodel outside Chester Railway Station. The revised layout of the Station Square was designed to take into account the varying needs of the different users at what is a busy transport interchange. In particular the focus was on creating greater space for pedestrians.

The taxi rank was switched from the east wing of the station to the west and is linked to the City Rail Link bus. There is a drop off point and short stay parking in front of the station and new bus shelters were placed either side of City Road and in the square itself.

As part of the design and to keep the area as uncluttered as possible, no road markings have been placed outside the Railway Station,

The system is based on no one having right of way, forcing motorists, pedestrians and other road users to make eye contact and decide among themselves when it is safe to proceed.

Winners of the National Transport Awards will be announced in July.