I predict chaos at lights

In my letter (Star Letters, January 11, 2003), I predicted that traffic lights would be put in at Dobbies Island in Shrewsbury before the end of 2003.

Sorry I was wrong, it now appears that they will be rushed on to site taking 20 weeks of chaos in 2008.

We are assured that they will improve safety at the island and speed up traffic and reduce congestion, but let us consider these statements.

Currently the major traffic flow is east to west and west to east. Traffic from the south coming up to the A49 gets held up seriously because it has to give way to traffic coming on to the island from the right. Traffic coming from the north out of Shrewsbury town centre and the Meole Brace Retail Park is fairly light and has its own left slip road to turn towards the east.

Traffic lights allow blocks of traffic to enter the island and provided they are correctly sequenced they should allow that traffic to proceed around the island and exit at their chosen point.

Picture the scene during the rush hour or at holiday times at the island, when blocks of traffic are being allowed on to the island, from the east. Currently without lights, traffic builds back as far as Emstrey Island, and similarly on their way back on a Sunday night they tail back to the A488 Bishop's Castle Island.

Look out Radbrook and Shelton, they will all be coming down your way.

Geoff Wells, Church Stretton