Directory

Access tools

News

30 Jan 01

IMPROVEMENTS TO UPPER PARKSTONE TRAFFIC SIGNALS

Upper Parkstone's busiest signal junction will be safer and easier to cross after changes are made to the Ashley Road/Richmond Road/Churchill Road signals on Sunday 4th February.

The lights at the junction will be re-phased and the pedestrian crossings will be upgraded with new controllers. The new controllers will allow a safer, more efficient phasing arrangement. In addition, 'knurled knobs' will be fitted underneath the pedestrian push button units, indicating to partially sighted pedestrians when it is safe to cross.

Cllr Bob Williams, Executive spokesman on Environment and Prosperity, welcomed the changes: "I believe this will help resident shoppers and visitors to the busy centre to cross Ashley Road safely and with confidence. It will add value to the pedestrian space created by the church, business and the Council."

Bruce Slattery, Signals Engineer for the Borough of Poole, said: "More pedestrians cross the road at this junction than any other in Upper Parkstone. Many of them were worried that drivers were completing their turns after the lights turned red. By changing the phasing here the junction should be much safer."

He added: "Drivers have found it difficult to make right turns at this junction for many years and this leads to congestion at the junction. The controller was in need of replacement and this allowed the changes to be achieved at a very reasonable cost."

The side roads, Richmond and Churchill Roads, will have their own separate phases which will prevent traffic being held up when waiting to make right turns at the junction. Bus Passengers will also benefit as buses will find it easier to turn out of Richmond Road. Andrew Jarvis, District Manager of Wilts and Dorset, said: "Our buses often have to wait a long time to make this turn and this change will save our customers a lot of time."

Bruce Slattery, Signals Engineer