Chief's vow to bust the jams

Highways chiefs in Telford are planning to slash journey times with an overhaul of the town's traffic system.

Proposals are at an early stage but the new leaders of Telford & Wrekin Council say all options are open.

Top of their list for change are the notorious Ketley Brook and Trench Lock roundabouts.

Councillor Sean Kelly, who is in charge of highways, said the new administration's preference was against traffic lights.

He did not rule out tearing them down but said in some places lights would have to stay.

But he said the council would try to make them part-time so motorists are not left fuming at lights while roundabouts were empty.

At the centre of proposals is a new system to link all signals across the borough to a nerve centre. Computers would automatically adjust lights' timing to keep traffic flowing.

Councillor Kelly said the first stages should be in place by the end of the year. He said: "I think you should begin to see improvements in journey times and queue lengths."

The system will continue to be rolled out from there.

Councillor Kelly said he had brought in a new way of measuring the performance of traffic schemes. The old way had not shown when changes made some journeys longer.

In its review of highways the council will use new methods - including asking motorists what they think with "attitude surveys".

He said: "We have committed ourselves to reviewing all major road safety and traffic calming schemes. We are very much aware that traffic signals do not always lead to better traffic flows.

"There are cases where traffic signals may be the only option. In such insta- nces our preference is part time wherever it is feasible."

This week Councillor Kelly, assistant cabinet member for environment and regeneration, said the southbound approach to Ketley Brook, in Whitchurch Drive, will be widened to two lanes.

By Dave West