A “dangerous” west Leeds road likened to the moon’s surface needs to be urgently fixed before a serious accident happens, councillors have insisted.
The layout of Stanningley Bottom has been heavily criticised since city highways chiefs redesigned the area in 2016. Two European-style “roundels” – unmarked circular junctions where drivers are encouraged to slow down and give way – now operate in the area.
The council claims the revamp has reduced collisions and speeding by forcing drivers to slow down. But critics say drivers and cyclists are simply confused by the layout and fear a serious accident if changes aren’t made.
It’s been suggested that converting the roundels to mini-roundabouts, where it is clearer who has right of way, would improve the situation.
There is also dismay at the road’s uneven surface, following a patchwork tarmacking job which was suppose to improve the area in 2018. Speaking at a meeting of local councillors on Wednesday, Conservative group leader Andrew Carter said the current system was a cause of “great worry”.
Councillor Carter, who represents the Calverley and Farsley ward, told a member of the council’s highways department, “It’s dangerous at the moment. The surface is like the surface of the moon. I’ve never been to the moon, perhaps you wish I’d go there!
“The council should be ashamed of visitors going into that direction because it’s a very bad advert for the council’s highways department. Pedestrians, motorists and cyclists all agree. It’s hands-up time. It hasn’t worked. The bottom line is it needs attention now.”
A report by the council’s highways team said that “observations show that the majority of motorists use the junction safely and with due care and attention.” It added that bringing in mini-roundabout style markings “are not considered necessary to ensure road safety.”
Despite that being the view of officers, the option of effectively converting the roundels into mini-roundabouts remains on the table, as elected members are likely to have the final say on the matter.
Labour councillor for Calverley and Farsley, Peter Carlill, said the scheme had been a success “in a way”, because of the reduction in collisions. But he added the system is “still not understood by the majority of people”.
He said: “I understand some of the thinking behind it, in having an unmarked junction to make people slow down. I’ve seen that in villages across Europe, in rural French villages it works really well. But the difficulty is we have roundabouts.”
Conservative councillor Amanda Carter said many west Leeds cyclists simply refuse to use the road out of fear for their safety.
Councillor Carter, who also represents Calverley and Farsley, said: “Don’t underestimate the anger and frustration of our residents who have to live, work, drive and cycle in that area.
“It’s tremendously difficult and dangerous. Highways didn’t listen. We told them it wouldn’t work (in 2016) and they wouldn’t listen. They need to need to fix it and they need to fix it quickly.”
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