Traffic issues dominated discussions at the recent Wellington Town Council meeting. Topics such as pedestrian hazards on Pyles Thorne Road, average speeds on Wellesley Park and the seemingly insoluble problems of traffic light congestions were all aired by councillors.
Gareth Searle, aged 9, drew attention to problems caused by speeding traffic and inappropriate driving along Pyles Thorne Road. This road was heavily used by young families going to and from Wellesley Park School all of whom felt vulnerable. He suggested a zebra crossing be installed in South Street which could be used by pedestrians. He also asked if there was anything the Town Council could do to help make the situation any better.
Initial figures from Speed Impact Device research on Wellesley Park suggested that average speeds were not high enough to warrant a permanent SID installation. Even the traffic engineers found the data surprising and a second trial installation should help to clarify the situation.
Ian Stock, chair of the town’s Business Association, reported that South St retailers had approached him concerned about the dangers of traffic light congestion in the town centre. Delays had become so bad at peak times that some drivers were frustrated enough to jump red lights, with dangers to themselves and pedestrians. The Town Clerk agreed to contact the Highway Authority to investigate the sequencing of the two sets of lights.
For more detail on these and other items; read the full report here