Traffic Lights Out - Roundabout In

Argyle Road changes underway

Traffic lights which have caused 15 years of misery for drivers and residents are finally being removed.

The lights were installed on the Argyle Road at the junction with the Ruislip Road East as part of the road improvements linked to the opening of the then new Tesco supermarket in the Hoover building.

They were supposed to improve traffic flow but overnight queues appeared and rat runs soon developed in Highview Road, Claremont Road, Vallis Way and Avalon Road.

In 2002 local Conservative Councillor John Popham started a campaign to get rid of the lights. Engineers carried out a traffic survey which recommended the re-instatement of the roundabout. A consultation took place with local residents and work start earlier this month.

Last week the traffic lights were finally removed and a temporary roundabout was installed.

Cllr Popham commented:

“It has taken 15 years to remove a set of traffic lights that have brought misery to drivers using the Argyle Road and produced rat runs in adjacent roads. Common sense has finally prevailed. We now need to look at the traffic lights at the other end of the Argyle Road at junction of Alexandria Road and Drayton Green Road.”

Do you welcome the change? Has it made a difference? Discuss on the forum

9 November 2010