Clever lights to manage key Melton work

‘Intelligent’ traffic lights are just one of a number of measures helping to keep traffic disruption to a minimum on the vital £1million junction improvement works in Melton.

Important work to key junctions on Norman Way will add extra lanes, significantly reduce traffic queues in the area and help to ease congestion at the town’s hot-spots.

The diversion of BT cables and other underground services has already begun with the full scheme due to start in about four months.

The County Council project will be mainly carried out during the summer to take advantage of better weather, longer daylight hours and a smaller traffic volume. Working hours will also avoid peak periods, market days and major events to help ensure traffic is kept moving throughout the town.

‘Intelligent’ temporary traffic lights linked to the Area Traffic Control centre are much more effective than conventional temporary signals at reducing queues. Other measures to help keep vehicles moving will include temporarily diverting some traffic and restricting some parking on a short narrow stretch along Sherrard Street.

Nicholas Rushton, Deputy Leader of the County Council with responsibility for Highways and Transportation, said: "These congestion-busting measures are vital for Melton and will provide welcome relief and improved journeys for drivers, but it is equally crucial that the construction creates as little disruption as possible. Careful consideration is being given to how the work will be carried out and every effort will be made to keep disturbance to a minimum.

“In the meantime, the County Council will be continuing its investigations in conjunction with Melton Borough Council to ensure that we deliver the longer term plans to provide Melton with a bypass”.

Further information on the plans is available on the County Council's website at: www.leics.gov.uk/melton_junction_improvements

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Press release issued: January 30 2007