New box junction for Wotton (From Gazette Series)

New box junction for Wotton

A CITY centre-style yellow box junction looks set to be introduced in Wotton-under-Edge in an effort to tackle horrendous traffic queues.

Councillors in the town have agreed to the box - which warns motorists not to pull out of a junction unless the road ahead is clear - on the Tabernacle Pitch and Old Town junction.

The area is renowned for traffic delays during peak times as drivers try to turn onto the B4060 Old Town from Tabernacle Pitch and Bear Street.

It is hoped the box junction would prevent drivers from turning out onto Old Town from Tabernacle Pitch and Bear Street unless the road was clear.

Kerbs and resurfacing had already been planned for the junction in the new year but after receiving a letter from a member of the public suggesting the box, Gloucestershire County Council's highways department launched a consultation with the town council.

At their monthly meeting held on Monday, Wotton town councillors were in dispute over the proposal.

Cllr Paul Smith said: "There wouldn't be a problem if people were to abide by the Highway code but a yellow box junction would be helpful to the situation."

Cllr June Cordwell said: "A yellow box is just about having consideration for other road users so perhaps putting one there would remind people of this."

However, deputy mayor and vice-chairman Geoff Keen did not think a box junction would relieve any of the congestion problems the junction causes.

He said: "If we have a box junction we will never be able to tell what is coming up the road.

"In my opinion it will just jam up the whole centre of town and no one will be able to move up Bear Street."

It was also suggested that excessive parking near the junction added to the congestion problems.

Mayor Cllr Elizabeth Warren said: "It might be helpful if we had some double yellow lines. It doesn't help people at that junction when their view is obstructed."

John Roberts, divisional operations manager at the highways department, said they are still in consultation with Wotton Town Council and have not made any firm decision about putting a box junction in the town centre.

After their meeting on Monday Wotton Town Council planned to write to the department offering their support to the suggestion.