Councillors predict M32 traffic chaos
Highways Agency to introduce 'ramp metering' on M32 without any consultation
Conservative councillors are predicting traffic chaos after it was revealed that the Highways Agency is to introduce ‘ramp metering’ at one of the Bristol area’s busiest motorway junctions.
The southbound sliproad on Junction 1 of the M32 is to have ‘ramp metering introduced in a bid to cut congestion when vehicles coming up the sliproad merge with the ‘mainline’ motorway traffic. This is the first such project in the South West.
Despite its introduction of ‘ramp metering’, the Highways Agency have refused to increase the southbound sliproad to two lanes raising fears that queuing traffic will back up across the M32/A4174 ring road roundabout causing chaos.
The fact that the slip-road is uphill is also likely to pose difficulties for buses and HGVs when negotiating the ramp metering.
The Highways Agency also appears to have ruled long-standing proposals to introduce a bus lane on the southbound sliproad.
Councillor for Frenchay and Stoke Park, Trevor Jones, said:
“I am astounded that the Highways Agency is planning to do this so suddenly and, crucially, without any public consultation.
If the views of local commuters were asked then they would say that this will cause traffic chaos unless the southbound sliproad is restored to two lanes from the outset.
One lane on the sliproad simply reduces the space available to queue and where traffic has to merge from the two lanes off the roundabout into the one joining lane up the slip road, there is almost certainly going to be added congestion and confusion at the point that motorists attempt to merge into one lane.”
Fellow Frenchay and Stoke Park councillor, Bob Pullin, added:
“The slip-road is also uphill and so this is likely to pose real difficulties for buses and HGVs. I am certain that a few clutches will be lost.”
“There has long been talk of a bus lane being added on the southbound sliproad, yet in their haste to introduce this so-called ramp metering, the Highways Agency appears to have dismissed this suggestion. This is most concerning and appears to fly in the face of their desire to reduce congestion.”
These concerns are shared by South Gloucestershire Council’s transport chief, Cllr Brian Allinson. He said:
“All the Council’s efforts to date have been to reduce the traffic misery along the ring road, yet I am concerned that, despite the best intentions of the Highways Agency, these plans will worsen congestion at the M32/ring road roundabout.”
“If the Highways Agency is determined to introduce ramp metering, then the Council believes that only a two lane approach reduces the risk of queuing traffic impacting on the local highway network. A two-lane approach may even have a positive impact upon the flow of the M32’s ‘mainline’ motorway traffic.”
“We are continuing to seek reassurances on the future of a bus lane.”
