Work on roundabout for notorious Thurstaston junction to begin next month, says Wirral Council



WORK will finally begin next month on a new roundabout at a notorious traffic accident blackspot in Thurstaston.

The new road layout is designed to cut down on the number of accidents that have occurred over the years on Telegraph Road at its junction with Irby Road and Station Road, near to the Cottage Loaf pub.

Wirral Council has been attempting to install the roundabout from as long ago as 2003 but was held up in legal wrangles over the ownership of surrounding land.

However, it is expected that work will now begin next month.

The first phase of the scheme was completed in October 2008.

During that phase new sandstone walls and fencing for landowners were put in place and work to divert utility companies' pipes and cables in preparation for the main scheme was also completed.

The council said this week: "Subject to completing the remaining land purchase the final part of the programme is provisionally scheduled to begin in mid September.

"We have worked closely with conservation officers and the roundabout has been developed to ensure it is in keeping with the existing environment.

"Red sandstone will be used in the boundary walling and conservation kerbing will be put in place."

The roundabout central island will be an oval shape and landscaped with a feature of sandstone boulders surrounded by miniature gorse and heather plants.

It will be slightly larger than the nearby roundabout at Caldy.

New street lighting will be installed at the roundabout, designed to pool light on the roadway in order to reduce light pollution.

The present ornamental gateway to the former Ismay estate will remain as it is at present and the access from Station Road will be enhanced with block paving.

"Road safety is a major priority for the council, and the new scheme includes enhanced pedestrian facilities to assist people crossing the road," the spokeswoman added.

It is expected that the works will take approximately six months and include completion of the utility pipe and cable diversions.

The roundabout will be constructed in two halves by running traffic on Telegraph Road along a temporary roadway in conjunction with closures of Thurstaston Road and Station Road to through traffic.

Prior to the work beginning, residents, schools and businesses will be informed of the exact start date as soon as it is confirmed.

Full traffic details, temporary road closures and diversionary routes will be provided and detailed on roadside signs.

Access for residents and businesses will be maintained throughout the works.

The council's technical services boss Dave Green said: "With this roundabout we plan to reduce the speed limit on the approach to 30mph - making this junction much safer for both road users and pedestrians.

"Every effort is being made to ensure that the scheme is environmentally sound – we’ve been working closely with conservation officers and our proposals are in keeping with the theme of the local landscape.

"We have been involved in a lengthy consultation with residents and land owners throughout the design process."

THE GLOBE

Bout time this is sorted out. Number of times Ive almost been wiped out there is ridiculous.

Doesnt help that it used to be a 50 limit, and the 40 is still bad. People coming from the left and right junctions usually are going to or leaving Thurstaston common.. but occassionally you do get the left and right turns... which seem to balls all the traffic up

They should just make that section of Station Road one way downhill. It would be a much cheaper solution and would probably work. Visibility at the top of Church Lane is so much better for joining Telegraph Road.

The combination of poor visibility and uphill start coming out of Station Road is what I have seen causing most of the problems. Additional hesistation with traffic opposite coming out of Thurstaston Road also creates some issues. The one-way solution aleviates both of these problems.

Saying that, I have nearly been wiped out much more often at Caldy roundabout further along the road.

Completely agree with one way system...infact, futher ideas include:
Use "orange, bumping" road surface on Telegragh road near all juctions at the crossroads (like they have near the Farmers Arms in Frankby -that always makes me slow down! (Have a go- Ok, so some may say it`s too extreme but it works!).
Install a Gatso near the junction too (I`m against this but still an option).
Close the junction space down into Station Road -It`s HUGE!
Compulsory order the entrance to that house on the corner to move its entrance further down the road rather than on the junction itself!!- this would be good if the one way solution was to be implemented.
There are so many alternatives to building yet another roundabout.

Why not Traffic lights

bert1, traffic lights won't stop the idiots who are driving from Heswall and in their own little world, at least a traffic island will wake them up,I hope.

Not MORE traffic lights!!!