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Post by Cllr Simon Tagg on Sept 2, 2009 23:07:56 GMT
I have spoken today to Staffordshire County Highway engineers about the next phase of work at Gallowstree roundabout.
As of yesterday (Tuesday September 1st) Cemetery Road is closed near its junction with the roundabout. The road will be open from the Silverdale crossroads end, allowing access to all businesses.
Through traffic is being diverted along Silverdale Road and Keele Road. The closure is expected to last for a max of 20 weeks (during this time period it is expected that one lane of Cemetery Road will be reopened)
I have received a number of complaints about the lack of adequate warning signage on the approaches to the roundabout from Madeley and also a lack of clear signage for the diversion. I have raised these with SCC Highways and they are looking at this as a matter of urgency.
We are plainly entering the 'pain' period (both for local residents and commuters) of this project that will eventually lead to the ‘gain’ of a dramatically safer roundabout for all road users.
I can assure you that I am still pressing SCC to carry out full traffic monitoring when the roundabout is open to assess the need for further traffic management / calming measures on the approach roads to the roundabout particularly in the Westlands and Thistleberry wards.
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Post by Cllr Simon Tagg on Sept 12, 2009 21:35:34 GMT
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Post by Cllr Simon Tagg on Sept 30, 2009 14:50:16 GMT
The letter below was sent by Newcastle Borough Council following the recent Full Council meeting.
Our ref: NSC/SM Gallowstree
Your ref:
Date 23rd September 2009
Mr. J. Hooper
Head of Specialist Services
Development Services
Staffordshire County Council
Riverway
Stafford
ST16 3TG
Dear John,
Re: Roadworks at Gallowstree Lane roundabout (A525)
I write further to our discussion last Friday concerning resolutions made at a meeting of the Council on the 16th September, regarding the above matter. I have been requested to write to you to both convey the project-specific resolutions and to seek assurances about future practices in projects of this nature.
With regard to the formal resolutions the Council requests the County Council to take the following actions in the public interest:
1. To conduct a safety audit in respect of pedestrian and cyclist use at the site, including a review of the speed limit;
2. To use all means available to ensure that BT and their contractors work continually on the Fibre Optic cable relocation;
3. To make use of weekend and evening working;
4. To keep internal roads free of mud (currently pedestrians are showered with mud and dust by HGV’s using the Cemetery Road end of the site);
5. To monitor the effect at potential congestion points (e.g. Town Centre ring road) and dangerous points (e.g. A53 Whitmore Cross Roads);
6. To provide adequate street lighting in the pedestrian area that is not now covered by streetlights and;
7. On a general point that the Staffordshire County Council reviews the management and working practices of the Northern Area Team to ensure that it is more responsive to, and engaging with, both elected Members and the general public.
As a final point this Council wished to express regret that adequate consultation on the works programme did not take place, and request that a communication process is put into place to ensure regular updates and consultation during the life of the project.
I can confirm that the above resolutions were made in the full knowledge of the most up-to-date (at that time) responses from your colleague, Neil Porter.
In view of the above and in order to expedite necessary actions I would appreciate an early response to the points raised. With regard to point 7 the Council Leader (and County Councillor), Simon Tagg, and Councillor David Becket have asked to be directly involved in developing any service improvements. To that end I would suggest that the most productive way forward would be to arrange a mutually-convenient meeting with the said parties as soon as practically possible (I’m happy to be involved too). Sue Hemmings is the best point of contact to arrange diaries at this end (01782 742228).
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Yours sincerely,
Neale Clifton
Executive Director
Regeneration and Development
Direct line: 01782 742400
Departmental fax 01782 714303
E-mail: neale.clifton@newcastle-staffs.gov.uk
c.c. Staffordshire County Council’s Leader, Portfolio Holder and representative on Newcastle LSP.
All Borough Council members.
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Post by Cllr Simon Tagg on Nov 5, 2009 14:59:42 GMT
Update on Work
We are now into week 14 of the planned 43 weeks for the project. Overall, the project is on programme and still heading for the completion date of May 2010.
Significant utility apparatus work is progressing successfully with British Telecom, Severn Trent Water, Virgin Media, British Gas and Central Networks (Electricity) carrying out necessary alterations and new infrastructure installation. Adjustments to all but one utility’s apparatus is on programme or slightly ahead. Work to the remaining company’s apparatus is one week behind programme.
The construction of the embankment adjacent to Keele Road and Cemetery Road was substantially completed, using recycled material, in October. The removal, burying and treatment of Japanese knotweed in this area is nearly complete and the combined kerb / drainage units are being installed. A photograph is attached which shows a view of the embankment looking from Cemetery Road towards Keele Bank. Work in this area is slightly ahead of programme.
New street lighting installation is complete in Gallowstree Lane, some two weeks ahead of programme.
Cemetery Road will continue to be closed to vehicular traffic for the time being, with three-way temporary traffic signals controlling traffic using the A525 Keele Road and Gallowstree Lane. Queue lengths and delays continue to be monitored for all three approaches to the junction with the temporary signal phasing being regulated to minimise delays overall. Generally, the delays are up to 8 to 9 minutes at peak times and up to 3 to 4 minutes at other times. We are on programme to open Cemetery Road in the one direction only, that is in a northbound direction off Keele Road, from mid January 2010. Three-way temporary signals will continue in operation.
Temporary routes have been provided for pedestrians and cyclists to travel through the junction safely, including along Cemetery Road.
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Post by Cllr Simon Tagg on Dec 3, 2009 13:11:07 GMT
Changes to the flow of traffic at Gallowstree roundabout
The next phase of work at Gallowstree island in Newcastle under Lyme is set to get underway on Monday, December 7.
Engineers from Staffordshire Highways, part of Staffordshire County Council, will be changing the flow of traffic travelling around the island to allow work to be carried out on the opposite side of the road.
Vehicles travelling along the A525 will be switched from the south side of the roundabout to the north side where a temporary road surface has recently been laid.
Motorists using Gallowstree Lane will be moved from the east side of the carriageway onto the west side where a temporary road surface has also been put in place.
Access into Cemetery Road off the island will remain closed until mid-January 2010.
The three-way temporary traffic signals will continue to manage the flow of vehicles along the A525 and Gallowstree Lane.
The changes will also apply to pedestrians and cyclists and the route will be clearly signed.
The crossing on the A525 between Gallowstree Lane and Cemetery Road will move to the west of the junction at the bottom of Keele bank.
The highways improvement project will serve the needs of the new Keele University Science Park which is set to create another 1,250 jobs. Improvements to this key junction were included as a condition of the planning permission for the development.
Staffordshire Highways is delivering the £3 million project on behalf of the University and Staffordshire County Council is supporting the job creation infrastructure to the tune of £750,000.
The scheme is expected to be completed by summer 2010.
County Councillor Mike Maryon, Cabinet member for Highways, said: “The county’s engineers are carrying out a major highways improvement project as part of the Keele University expansion scheme. The team is on schedule, and within budget, to complete the work by next summer.
“The engineers have worked hard to ensure that disruption has been kept to a minimum and the majority of roads around Gallowstree island have remained open. However, this is essential work that will support a major economy boosting scheme.”
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