Telford green road scheme on shortlist for cash
Thursday 4th August 2011, 11:29AM BST.
A multi-million pound scheme to transform Telford’s central road network and create a greener transport system has been shortlisted for a major Government grant.
The Telford Futures, local action for sustainable growth plan, has been named as one of 13 projects around the country, standing alone in the West Midlands, to have a chance of winning a slice of £560 million available for such projects.
The scheme would see the transformation of the four roads on each side of Telford Shopping Centre, as well as two town centre roundabouts.
It would see traffic signals installed at Malinslee and Forge roundabouts, the main route into town from the M54. and both will give priority access to buses.
Coach Central, currently one-way except for buses, would become a two-way, 20mph zone, with a pedestrian walkway with seats and planters along its centre. Telford & Wrekin Council now has until December 20 to submit a business case demonstrating in detail how the project will create growth, cut carbon and offer value for money.
Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “Telford Futures has made the shortlist in a competitive process to bid for funding to support large scale sustainable tran- sport projects that will create growth and cut carbon.
“This money is part of a total pot of £560 million which I have made available to help build strong local economies and address the urgent challenge of climate change. In total we received 19 initial bids for large projects of up to £50 million, so it is a testament to the strength of the bid that Telford Futures has made a shortlist of only 13.
“We will be closely scrutinising all the bids, so I urge Telford & Wrekin Council to submit a robust business case which shows clearly how their proposal meets the twin aims of creating growth and cutting carbon.”
The scheme will cost a total of £11.819 million, with the council contributing just over £3 million, meaning it hopes to get more than £8 million to help the project along.
It is aimed for completion at the end of the 2014 to 2015 financial year.
By Thom Kennedy
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So a “green road” is one where vehicles are required to decelerate, wait (whilst pumping out exhaust fumes) and accelerate again (worst thing for emissions)? All so a bus can drive past then proceed to make them all decelerate, wait and accelerate again as it stops at each bus stop?
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That’s exactly right.
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Hehe you are spot on! What they really want to do is create “congestion” then they will feel justified in implementing congestion charges and vehicle restrictions.
I am really pleased as I live by the town centre and its difficult enough to negotiate the town centre and retail park traffic just to get to where I live – so am so happy they will be making it even more difficult.
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That’s the way – when in doubt about how to spend (waste) money, just install some new traffic lights somewhere, preferably somewhere where they’re not really needed.
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Great.
More unnecessary traffic lights on islands. Do these people not understand that islands were put there in the first place to reduce the need for traffic lights?
It should say: ‘both will give priority to (nearly-empty) buses and in so doing hold up hundreds of motorists’
Sadly it seems we can now look forward to the sort of near-gridlock in Telford Town Centre that we regularly see in Shrewsbury…
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Maybe there will need to be traffic lights on those roundabouts when the traffic that used to use the box road is diverted because of their downgrading? They will probably become much busier and if any pedestrians want to cross they are already pretty lethal and lights might help.
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I was quite impressed to see how the software works to prove that traffic lights are worth having. The software shows cars stopped, the cars all move in a block at the sametime, showing that it does infact improve traffic flow. Unfortunately, it does not work like that in reality, cars stall and not every driver selects gear and acelerates away precisely the sametime. Just look at Trenck lock and the problems that cause still. How long will it be before we see congestion charges around places like Telford I wonder?
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John,
To say nothing of the many people who jump the red lights at Hollinswood interchange.
The road markings at that island defy logic too, especially if turning right from Priorslee towards the station.
But that’s the problem when people use software, rather than actual driving experience, to plan road junctions…
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Im pretty sure most designers can driver Peter. But of course how many drivers can design? I am sure you are one of them!
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Dap, the roads around telford were mainly designed in the late sixties and early seventies when computer wouldn’t have been used but people with practical experience.These roads have worked well for decades but the new breed of road designers with a degree, flash computer and no real life driving experience…the results are now there for all to see…enough said!
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Excellent. Let’s hope it’s as successful as turning the Eastern Primary dual carriageway into what’s now virtually a single lane from Trench Lock to Hollinswood. And why only drop the limit to 20? Go on, make it 10, and install “safety” cameras.
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Lets create congestion then we can charge for it! Thats the local policy – see Trench Lock, Bennets Bank island, the new Lawley development (narrow roads with on street parking!) etc.
Telford used to be a pleasure to drive round, now its becoming a chore, but I will not abandon my car.
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If Telford town centre really want green roads then they should grass over all of the carparks and force people who wish to shop at the shopping centre to travel in by train or bus.
But somehow I can’t see the town centre business or the town centre which makes a fortune from car parking charges willing to implement this.
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a “green” road
LOL
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It’s a sign that the Labour party are back…they ruined the roads pretty badly last time they were in and now they are going to finish them off. I wonder if we can sue them for all the extra fumes in the atmosphere and resultant chest problems that it will all result in.
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Why waste money trying to fix something that isn’t broken?
Can we have the pot holes sorted and the speed bumps that grind the bottom of our cars fixed first please?
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Run for office Joanne. You’ve got my vote!
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“The scheme will cost a total of £11.819 million, with the council contributing just over £3 million, meaning it hopes to get more than £8 million to help the project along.”
And if they don’t get the 8 million grant, will it still go ahead and waste 11 million of OUR money on something we don’t want or need?….probably!
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Just think what else they could do with nearly 12 million. value for money?….I don’t think so!
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Perhaps they could invest in some pointless ugly abstract art works in the middle of the roundabouts instead. Crushed cars in cag……….oh!
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a ‘green’ road???
codswallop
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We need to get a fighting group together. The last Labour lot wanted city status and this lot want to reduce Telford’s roads to be like Wolverhampton or Birmingham, lots of needless traffic lights and gridlock….no thank you!
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