Mixed reaction to new gyratory (From Northwich Guardian)

Mixed reaction to Northwich town centre's new gyratory

2:30pm Tuesday 31st January 2012 in News By Gina Bebbington

BEMUSED motorists are trying to get to grips with a new one-way system that has received a mixed reaction since it started on Sunday.

Some drivers say the new experimental gyratory has made their journey a lot easier while others fear it is an accident waiting to happen.

A number of comments have been left on the Guardian website.

INEEDTOSAYTHIS said: “Driving around Northwich today Jan 30, 11.30am, hardly peak time.

“The traffic jams were mayhem.....I HOPE things improve.”

Nicksey said that Northwich did not need the gyratory, that the red and white bollards are unsightly, that there are now queues where there were not queues before and that the junction of Winnington Hill and Castle Street is ‘chaos and an accident waiting to happen’.

But Tuggy16 said: “I’ve just driven from one end to the other without any bother... no trouble at all... we will get used to it in time although we don’t like the idea.”

Liberated said: “Even with the school run traffic this morning I saw no new issues and even can say it was quicker.

“Teething troubles will be ironed out.”

Residents have even set up a Facebook group, Northwich Gyratory – The Truth, to discuss the issue.

Speaking to the Guardian today, Tuesday, a Cheshire West and Chester Council spokesman said: “Our take on yesterday is that there were queues where there weren’t normally queues and a lot of queues where ordinarily there would be queues.

“But overall what we would say is that it’s about people getting used to it.

“People aren’t getting into the correct lanes early enough.

“This is inevitable as people get used to it, but we will be keeping an eye on it – this is the whole purpose of it being an experiment.”

For more information ring CWAC’s highways department on 0300 123 7036.