The traffic lights on the newly upgraded Gilesgate roundabout will be switched on next week as major improvements are completed on schedule.
The work has been carried out by Durham County Council as part of the installation of the new £2.5m SCOOT system. This will see lights also installed on Leazes Bowl roundabout which, along with the other improvements, will result in easier journeys in the future.
As well as the traffic lights, the work on Gilesgate roundabout has seen an additional lane added to help improve journey times for motorists. Two new crossings have been installed and the footpaths have been widened to allow both pedestrians and cyclists to use them. High friction surfacing will also be installed on sections of the roundabout later in the summer.
The new traffic lights will be coordinated with those already in place on the Milburngate roundabout and those currently being installed on Leazes Bowl to better manage the flow of vehicles through the city. This will mean much more predictable travel through Durham City at peak times making journeys easier for motorists and helping bus operators to plan services. It will also enable the council to more effectively deal with the impacts of incidents and planned events on the road network when the council starts using the SCOOT system in 2017.
Adrian White, Durham County Council’s head of transport and contract services, said: “We’re delighted to reach this major milestone in a project which promises to improve journeys for both those visiting and travelling through the city.
“We’d like to thank the public for their continued patience and hope that the new and improved Gilesgate roundabout will give everyone an idea of how the current work on Leazes Bowl will make journeys even easier in the future.”
Work on Leazes Bowl is scheduled to be completed by the end of September which will also see the number of lanes increased as well as improvements to the configuration of the roundabout. Paths will also be widened with dropped kerbs installed to improve accessibility and two new eastbound bus stops will be installed, set back from the carriageway.
People can see the latest at www.durham.gov.uk/LeazesBowl which also includes changes to bus services, links to traffic cameras that people can check before setting off and tips to avoid delays. Motorists are also advised to keep up to date with the latest on social media using #LeazesBowl.