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‘Bad drivers’ partly to blame for Welshpool traffic woes
Friday 9th September 2011, 12:33PM BST.
The one-way system in Welshpool when it opened
Bad drivers are to blame for some of the problems that have been created by Welshpool’s new one-way system, town clerk Robert Robinson has claimed.
Mr Robinson said motorists were partly to blame for the increased traffic chaos and some were still failing to heed the new system, which opened earlier this year.
He said the town council was working hard to iron out the problems rather than just ‘rolling over’.
It comes after dozens of motorists and business owners complained about the system.
Mr Robinson said: “This is not a system, which the town council is responsible for, we did get involved in making it happen but Powys County Council and the Welsh Assembly are in charge of it. In 2008, the town council held a large consultation on the town centre with thousands of replies from residents in and around Welshpool.
“The result was support for a one-way system.
“All we can do is try to help iron out the problems and act as a voice for the town. People have been jumping up and down complaining about the system but they never said anything about it beforehand.
“I also think some of the problems that have been created is down to the driving ability of some motorists and some are still spotted driving the way.
“I’m pleased that a review will be carried out to look at the system and we will work with engineers as much as we can.”
Powys County Council has said it would be carrying out a review on the system.
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There is a point here. ‘Give way to the right’ seems to have gone out of fashion and the calories burnt using an indicator obviously preclude many drivers from experiencing an instant energy slump. Having said that the one-way system remains a monument to a bullying and arrogant supermarket chain and a weak and pliable town council.
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I have started indicating recently, after jibes from my “other half” and I have found that I have dropped two dress sizes, I don’t use my mirrors as much though because I find it makes me very tired after a long two mile drive.
I am an excellent driver though because I never go over the “20′s plenty” benchmark for good driving.
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I have completely given up driving into Welshpool these days. It is a nightmare to be avoided!
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Brilliant comment, but come on: you know your reasoning has nothing to do with the one way system, does it? :)
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How do you know that, Andy? There are many paces that I would avoid driving to because of the traffic chaos.
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Welshpool has been a nightmare for many years, traffic changes or no traffic changes. It is a ghastly place. And it is in Wales.
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The problems here are mainly due to drivers attitudes and the refusal to comply with changes around them to blame.
I drove round the one way system at what one would normally call a busy period only to find that traffic flow was far better than it used to be. The biggest problem used to be the double parking on Broad Street but traffic now flows well despite delivery lorries double parking to get goods to the shops.
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Upon close observation you will see that the traffic light is on red and that means you have to stop even if no-one is trying to cross the road. It appears the traffic has stopped quite unnecessarily in this scenario causing congestion.
There lies the problem – inappropriate use of traffic lights. If anyone has driven in Scotland on the A82 where the road is collapsing into Loch Lomond, they will have noticed that at the permanent contra-flow traffic lights there is a button for cyclist to press to give them more time to complete the section.
This should be applied to pedestrian crossing lights with 2 buttons. 1 for agile and 2 for the doddery. Simple!
In fact I don’t know why we can’t go back to zebra crossing where everyone makes a dash for it to the best of their ability. It would be much better for traffic flow, the environment as well as cheaper to maintain and install.
In these times of austerity we live in our council people need to use some common sense and real-life experience rather than look for someone else to blame not matter how fashionable it is to pick on the poor motorist.
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bad planning mor like council always wont take the blame
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I have only used the one way system in Welshpool once, but found the markings on the road inconsistent with the lanes indicated on the signs.
Driving in the right-hand lane there are markings originally laid for cars traveling the opposite direction, which led me to doubt I had understood the signage correctly. Not wishing to inadvertently take a blind bend on the wrong side of the road I stopped and moved into the left lane when safe.
More confusing than any other European village/town one way traffic system I have encountered, I have driving experience across Europe.
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The one way system is simple to use and nothing wrong with it in principle . The only problem is it was fine as it was before, now we all have to go out and around and past Tesco , all roads seem to end up at tesco these days not as blatantly as in Welshpool though .
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I agree! Much of the congestion problem in the uk is down to poor driving skills people rushing, stopping, starting and heavy on the breaks instead of sooth gradual driving
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Stop making excuses for the idiots who thought this one up, Sack them and put Welshpool back to the way it was.
How much longer are we the rate payers to keep them in a job ?
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