It's lights, crossing, action on busy Shrewsbury road
Works to repair worn out traffic lights on a busy Shrewsbury roundabout are reaching completion.
Residents of Mountfields and Frankwell had been concerned an accident could have happened while the lights on the roundabout were out of action.
But workmen have been on site all week making last minute adjustments to the new sets of lights. It has been more than five weeks since work started on the crossing.
Remedial works was found to be needed after the original lights developed a fault which could not be fixed.
And a new puffin style crossing will be installed to replace the existing pelican type crossing.
Jason Hughes, street lighting and traffic signals commissioner for Shropshire Council, said: "The signals controller which operates the dual crossing at Frankwell, developed a fault which unfortunately was unrepairable due to the age and availability of the equipment.
"This has meant that a new controller was needed to be built specifically for this location which can take between four to six weeks to make.
"As part of the controller replacement, it will also be necessary to replace all the signal heads and push buttons as the new equipment work off a different extra low voltage which is safer.h
"This has meant the crossing needed to undergo a full refurbishment which was not planned or programmed in.
"In addition to this, the pelican type crossing which was installed at Frankwell is now an obsolete style for new installations.
"The new crossing will be a puffin style which is more efficient for both motorist and pedestrians having additional sensors to reduce delays. In addition to this, the signal heads will be LED which is much more efficient to run in terms of energy usage and maintenance costs.
"We apologise for the delay in getting this well used crossing back up and running."
Local resident Judith Williams, speaking on behalf of those living nearby, said: "For over five weeks the Frankwell crossing has been disabled. This has led to a serious road safety risk to the pedestrian.
"Why has it taken so long for the work to be done with no consultation to those living nearby? Neither was any notification given. Someone could have been hurt or killed."
