Forums Forums Enthusiast Forums A - Z Autowirral New road layout: Laird Street

The new traffic signals are up on running on Laird Street by Cavendish Road now, and if you havn't been down that way for a while, I'd recommend you avoid it at all costs.

As opposed to improving the road layout to make it easier for vehicles I think they've done the total opposite.
They may have improved crossings for pedestrians, but thats about it.

In rush hour, that road is already bad for congestion, but these lights will make it even worse. I foresee tailbacks heading all the way back to Duke Street, which will further cause more tailbacks all the way along Laird street as far back as Birkenhead Park entrance.
I've already experenced these tailbacks when the work was being carried out to install the new traffic signals.

Yes, beforehand turning onto Laird street coming off Park Road North was a pain in the arse, but this will make it worse for traffic from all directions.

When I first approached these earlier coming down Park Road North towards Laird Street, there were about 4 other cars infront of me waiting at a red light. As we waited for no traffic to pass through, they eventually turned green.

I was the last car in this 'queue' if you like, and just as I set off and approached the lights, they suddenly turned to amber after hardly any time had passed. I still went through and then got hit by another set of amber lights which seems to be in the middle of the Cavendish Road crossing.
I passed through these too, but had I of stopped, I would have blocked traffic turning out of Cavendish Road, and as there is no box junction, they would have blocked traffic heading towards St. James Church.

So there we go, I'll be trying to avoid this route as much as possible from now on.


I was just wondering on other peoples experiences or views on the new road layout too.

I had the same problem when going down Park Road North. It seems as through the lights will only let 3 cars out at a time onto Laird Street and if you miss the lights you could be sitting there for a few minutes. I know there were a few crashes on that junction with people pulling out onto Laird street so I can only say that the lights will make it safer now with less accidents, but the congestion will be a lot worse.

Whoever's responsible for the traffic management on the Wirral should find a more suitable job. You only have to look at the new set of traffic lights at the Arrowe Park junction to see what a mess they usually make of easing congestion. That can be a nightmare on a Friday at 5pm.

The new roundabout on Leasowe Road has worked though, Leasowe Road used to be a nightmare to turn onto and was a dangerous junction. It's cut congestion, will probably reduce accidents and also slows cars down. I think that's the best thing they've done for a good while.

Yeah, I think they need a new job too.

As bad as some of the new changes may be, some other changes have been for the better.

For example, around by St James' Church, most people have been saying how awful it is now, but I think it's not been that badly designed for the road structure they had to work with.

That roundabout at St. James' Church used to be a real nightmare and there were a number of drivers and pedestrians killed there. I have to agree with you, I think they've done a good job and it's now a much safer juntion. I don't think it takes any longer to get through the junction than it did when it was a roundabout.

Sounds like Clatterbridge roundabout at about 8.30am coming from the golf course. The queue stretches right up to the tip, as they only let three cars through at a time, while the others (which have no traffic) are open for 10 - 15 seconds.

It's not rocket science.

I know this is an OLD POST but seriously i live by this and rush hour.. Dont even bother trying to get out of my Road its redic.. Its just so frigging stupid.. They should of left it how it was at least there was no tail backs... But the reason they have done this lighting is cause of an accident a couple of years ago where someone died..