THERE has been a U-turn over the decision to build new roundabouts in the Burraton area – a plan which prompted fears for the safety of pedestrians, particularly schoolchildren.
Since the controversial plan was initially mooted councillors Joyce Mepsted and Bryan Preston have been campaigning for the current traffic lights at Burraton to stay, and for the roundabouts scheme to be abandoned.
A delighted Mrs Mepsted, deputy mayor of Saltash, announced last Friday that, together with Mr Preston, she had been having talks with the director of the county's planning and transportation estates department about the proposal - which led to a petition opposing the proposed roundabouts being signed by around 150 people.
Traffic lights
She explained that the result of the consultation means that the road layout will remain the same. The traffic lights will, however, be upgraded to provide a better response to traffic flow, increasing efficiency around 10-15%. There is also a proposal to improve the street lighting in the area.
Mrs Mepsted added that this is included in the Saltash traffic plan, the area also to be part of the diversion route, from Fore Street along North Road, during the Saltash tunnel works which are to begin in October of this year. She said the decision to abandon provision of new roundabouts proved the consultation process works, and that councillors do listen to what the local community has to say.
Residents worried about the safety of young children having to cross further roundabouts to school, had pointed to the amount of traffic emerging from the busy dual carriageway. Head teacher at Burraton primary school, Peter Hunkin, had also said he was concerned that not enough protection would be provided for pedestrians. He had said the volume of traffic is already high, but is set to increase when the tunnel works begin.
The town council's road safety committee had sent a letter to Cornwall county highways about the concerns.