New M54 island markings at Shifnal 'frightening' learners, says instructor

Junction four of the M54, near Shifnal, is one of a number of roundabouts in Telford which have recently undergone major works to increase capacity.

But residents in Shifnal and Priorslee have said that the new markings around the roundabout are causing confusion, particularly for motorists who don't know the area.

Now, a Shifnal driving instructor has echoed the concerns, saying it is "frightening" for the learners he takes out on the road.

Brian Fleming,71, a private driving instructor, said he couldn't understand why the markings had been changed in the first place.

He said: "It is totally confusing the way they have marked them out.

"The markings are so confusing not just for learners but for experienced drivers as well.

"There are three lanes now, you have to drive across one lane to the right, it is so not self-explanatory.

"For learners, it's frightening to death. You can't sit down and draw a picture of it because it really is too hard to do. So you have to take them through it, you have to explain this is how we are going to do it - how I think they want us to do it.

"Then you think perhaps I'm wrong - you start doubting yourself!

"Before the roundabout, the signs haven't changed at all to warn you about the lanes so it is really confusing especially if you don't know the area.

"So because there are just four exits shown and not that it feeds into three lanes, you treat it like the Highway Code says, which doesn't work.

"I think it's awful that they spent a whole lot of money on this and I don't see that they needed to do it."

Russell Griffin, a spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council, which conducted the work, said: "We are aware of some issues with the road markings at junction four of the M54 and we are currently reviewing what we can do to improve the design and layout.”

The improvements are part of the wider £17.4 million Telford Growth Point Package, which has already seen work begin at Shawbirch Roundabout, Limekiln roundabout in Priorslee, Clock Tower roundabout in Donnington, Trench Lock roundabout, at M54 junction 4, Rampart Way and the extension of the Hortonwood business park. About £13.9m of this funding has been provided through the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership Local Growth Fund Deal.

The remaining funding will be provided through Section 106 contributions secured from new housing and employment developments.

Work is still underway to instal new signals at the Ketley Brook roundabout.