Mixed reaction to new layouts at Shrewsbury A5 roundabouts
Major roadworks at two A5 roundabouts on the outskirts of Shrewsbury might have finally been completed but the new layout has received a mixed response.
After months of setbacks and delays, major construction was concluded on the Preston Boats and Emstrey Islands last week.
However, the initial verdict from those using the roundabouts varies from those who said they were "exactly the same" to those who thought congestion had reduced.
Tony Bywater, who runs Salop Leisure – based just off the Emstrey Island – said he believed the new arrangement was "working superbly".
Dan Braddock, who posted on the Shropshire Star Facebook page, said: "I have found that the alterations have reduced congestion. I have heard from people who use this route regularly that it's much clearer in the morning."
Julie Doswell said that people were only struggling with the roundabouts because they were not yet familiar with them.
She said: "It's confusing because it's new. Keep your eyes open and wits about you as other regular users are also getting used to the new layout."
However, there were a number of criticisms of the new layout, with Paul Heath saying it has had little impact.
He said: "£8.4 million? Apart from the lanes being slightly wider, it seems to be exactly the same as it was before. The traffic moved fine during the roadworks and became chaotic again as soon as the traffic lights were switched back on."
Commenting on the Shropshire Star website "Sharone" went further and branded the new system "a complete waste of money".
"Sharone" said: "The new A5 roundabouts and traffic lights – what a farce and a complete waste of money. The traffic is worse than ever. How can this be an improvement when traffic is back to back from roundabout to roundabout. Rubbish."
"MattR" also questioned the need for the works, saying: "Motorists need to get used to the revised layout and allow some time for the traffic light signals to be adjusted to take account of the traffic flow.
"Having said that, I do think the improvements were unnecessary. I have been travelling through these junctions daily for a number of years and they were seldom grid-locked before the roadworks started."
