Safe crossing relies on one-way route (From Northwich Guardian)

Safe crossing relies on one-way route

10:00am Sunday 29th January 2012 in News By Gina Bebbington

A CROSSING could be installed at one of Northwich’s busiest junctions by the spring.

But the proposed pedestrian crossing, at the junction of Manchester Road, Station Road and Victoria Road, will also involve a controversial one-way system.

Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) have proposed to turn Albert Place and Greenall Road into a one-way route from the crossroads to the cut through between Greenall Road and Victoria Road.

Town mayor Clr Alison Gerrard, who has been campaigning for the safe crossing, said: “I have my reservations about Greenall Road as a one-way because it might turn it into Brands Hatch.

“I’ve had residents of Greenall Road telling me how bad it is with speeding traffic now and if it’s a one-way it will make it worse.”

But a spokesman for CWAC said the one-way system was needed to make room for new traffic signals.

“There’s not enough room for the columns that the signals sit on so the only way we can fit in the crossing is to create a one-way route instead of having the traffic travelling in two directions,” she said.

“Anyone who wishes to object can do so – it’s not a done deal yet, just a proposal.

“We would look to put in the crossing in spring.”

Clr Gerrard said Northwich Town Council had also suggested taking the ‘no right turn’ off for drivers travelling from Station Road into Manchester Road, towards Tesco and the railway station.

She said: “It will stop Victoria Road getting blocked up – so many people use Victoria Road because they can’t turn right.

“It would also take some traffic off the Chesterway roundabout because with the new gyratory in place that will be busier.”

But Clr Gerrard said overall she is pleased the crossing looks set to go ahead.

“I’m glad for all the residents down here that we’re finally getting a proper crossing – it’s one of the busiest junctions in Northwich,” she said.

“If some things don’t work we can address that afterwards.