Calls for new traffic island at 'packed' Stafford junction

A roundabout could be installed at a "packed" junction in Stafford, with pressure today mounting on county council bosses to ease congestion in the town centre.

Members of Stafford Borough Council want an island at the junction of Weston Road with Corporation Street. The proposals will go before highways chiefs, who today pledged to consider the scheme.

Borough council leader Mike Heenan welcomed a motion filed by Councillor Ian Hollinshead, requesting that the county council consider the move.

They have suggested that the site of the former Riverway School, which has now been demolished and is lying vacant, could be used for the roundabout.

Councillor Heenan said: "This is a longstanding issue and doing something like putting a roundabout in at that junction has been under consideration for some time. However we don't have the power to do this, the county council is responsible for highways.

"Many years ago there was a roundabout there but that was removed.

"It is unclear whether an island would improve the traffic flow but it should be looked at – passing this motion will put a bit of pressure on the county council to do that.

"I want to get some final answers."

He added: "When you make road changes the problem can be that there is a knock-on effect elsewhere.

"But this is a very heavily used junction – it's probably one of the most packed junctions there is anywhere."

A decision over any changes to the road layout needs to be made soon while the land is available, Councillor Heenan said.

"The motion is timely in that if we don't push for it now the county council will dispose of the site, and it won't ever go ahead."

County councillor Mike Maryon, cabinet member for highways, said: "We will always work with communities and councils to devise road schemes that satisfy their needs.

"Our engineers will look into any proposals from the borough council on this issue," he added.

By Mark Mudie