Proposals for the future of the busy Toll Bar junction will go before North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet.
The proposed replacement of the existing roundabout at Toll Bar has previously considered by former Cabinets, Full Council and relevant Scrutiny Committees. These reports highlighted the road safety issues associated with the junction arising from the high volumes of traffic, pedestrians and cyclists using Toll Bar, particularly during peak hours, without formal crossing facilities.
But since May this year, when a new political administration took control of the Council, the original proposed scheme to remove the existing roundabout and construct traffic signal-controlled crossroads has been under review following concerns raised by local residents.
In October, a new toucan crossing was installed on the northern arm of the junction. An average of around 23500 cars use the junction each day, with 700 school children using the crossing each school day, so this crossing was brought forward to help immediately improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists crossing to and from Toll Bar Academy.
Further plans have now been drawn up to address congestion and planned growth in the area and these, along with the original proposed signalised junction, are set to be discussed.
- Option 1: replacement of the existing roundabout with a fully signalised crossroads; this was the original approved by Cabinet on 29th October 2018 but which has not been implemented following the decision to review it.
- Option 2: retention and enhancement of the existing roundabout through a range of measures including providing two lanes for ‘ahead’ travel over the A16 and widening the approaches to the roundabout on Station Road East/Station Road West to increase the number and length of entry lanes.
- Option 3: significant enlargement of the roundabout with the provision of three circulatory lanes and incorporating fully integrated, signalised pedestrian crossings; this option would require significant additional land take from the adjoining housing site on the south west corner of the junction and from Tollbar Academy to the north west of the roundabout.
A report on the proposals says that while the recommendations from officers is to pursue Option 1, Option 2 “is deliverable and is a lawful option for Cabinet Members to consider if they see fit, in light of their own experiences and views as to safety and other relevant matters.”
The options will be considered and a decision expected to be taken at the Cabinet meeting on December 23.
The changes to the junction will be funded from a mixture of funding from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, the Council’s capital programme and Section 106 contributions from nearby housing developers.
Article from NELC. Image: Google.
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