ROADWORKS at a roundabout on the Avon Ring Road have been changed after claims they were “extremely dangerous” and causing confusion for drivers.
Traffic lights on the Wick Wick roundabout, where the A4174 meets the A432 Badminton Road by the Willy Wicket pub, were taken down in June and are due to be out until the start of September.
They are being replaced as part of a South Gloucestershire Council project which will also widen paths, create two-way cycle lanes and upgrade bus stops along the ring road.
Pedestrian crossings around the junction have also been removed and replaced with temporary crossings, controlled by lights.
But people using the road reported drivers mistaking the temporary crossing lights for traffic lights and driving onto the roundabout without giving way to vehicles already on it.
Frenchay & Downend ward councillor Liz Brennan says she has had reports of numerous near-misses, including with pedestrians.
She said: “The temporary measures currently in place at the Wick Wick roundabout are extremely dangerous and need to be fixed as a matter of urgency.
“The current arrangements are very confusing for motorists and pedestrians alike, and residents have already reported a number of near misses.”
Cllr Brennan told a council meeting in July that residents had emailed her saying “someone is going to be killed”.
Cllr Brennan said: “They are not isolated concerns and I understand the local policing team has been contacted direct by residents.”
Cabinet councillor Sean Rhodes told Cllr Brennan that alterations had been made to the temporary layout of the junction in response to concerns raised over safety.
These include adding new ‘give way’ signs next to the roundabout, with new road markings and extra electronic signs to give drivers advance warning.
CCTV cameras have also been installed to monitor the junction and help manage traffic.
The pedestrian crossing on the eastbound side of the ring road has also been moved to a “safer location”.
Cllr Rhodes said: “I want you to know that I’ve taken all of this very seriously and I’ve spent a lot of time liaising with residents in the area.”
Afterwards a council spokesperson said: “We were made aware there was some confusion relating to the temporary signals in place while the improvements are made.
“After listening to feedback, engineers from our StreetCare team made changes to the layout of the signals and installed new temporary give-way road markings to supplement the give-way traffic signs already in place.
“We are continuing to closely monitor the temporary measures and apologise for any inconvenience while the work takes place.”