Mini-roundabout to go . . . because drivers ignore it
A mini-roundabout on the Shropshire border will be removed – following complaints that motorists have never used it correctly.
Work to get rid of the roundabout on the B4500 Castle Road in Chirk will begin on January 20 and is expected to last about six weeks.
Councillors in Chirk have consistently complained that drivers have been flouting road rules at the roundabout. It was installed several years ago but some motorists have been accused of ignoring it completely or even driving the wrong way around it.
North Wales Police has worked with Wrexham Council highways bosses to try to address the issue – and the council has now confirmed it will be removed.
Officers gave out warning letters at the beginning of last year to more than 50 drivers who were spotted misusing the roundabout.
But councillors say the problem has remained and have welcomed the removal of the roundabout all together.
Councillors said some drivers drove straight over it or on the wrong side so they could access the opposite junction but were worried oncoming motorists were not able to see vehicles bypassing the roundabout.
Councillor Terry Evans said it was best to remove the roundabout.
He said: "I suppose I welcome it being taken away because, in my opinion, the design of it was flawed. People were just ignoring it and driving over it. The design and size of the roundabout meant larger vehicles can't go around the roundabout.
"It is being taken away for safety reasons because it was never used properly by everyone."
Councillor Evans said the roundabout work could pose highways problems of their own. He said: "There will be three-way traffic diversion lights and there is likely to be hold-ups.
"I am trying to tell as many people as possible, especially traffic coming from Glyn Ceiriog, to take the diversion along Station Avenue and around that way to avoid the problems."
Wrexham Council spokeswoman Gill Stevens said: "Following concerns from the residents of Castle Walks and the local community concerning the inappropriate use of the roundabout by motorists, consultation was undertaken on the removal of the roundabout to be replaced with a standard priority T-junction.
"A positive response was received to the consultation."
