Roadworks set for Beech Road and Bell Lane junctions in Kesgrave to reduce congestion
Work is due to start on the junction of Main Road and Bell Lane Kesgrave later this month, where there is significant congestion at peak times. Picture: LUCY TAYLOR
Improvements to two of Kesgrave’s busiest junctions have been lined up this summer, as highways bosses aim to reduce congestion in the town.
The latest round of work follows the successful removal of traffic lights at Ropes Drive west roundabout. Picture: LUCY TAYLOR
From Monday, July 24, the first of two phases of work to upgrade old traffic lights will take place at the junction of Bell Lane with Main Road.
The work, which follows on from improvements at the junction to reduce flooding, will also include reconstruction to some of the footpath, and is due to finish on Saturday, August 12.
Phase two will then begin on Monday, August 14 to upgrade traffic lights at the junction of Beech Road with Main Road, as well as footpath widening and road resurfacing.
The second phase is due to finish on Saturday, September 2.
Beech Road traffic lights in Kesgrave. Picture: GREGG BROWN - Credit: Gregg Brown
A spokesman from Suffolk County Council’s highways team said: “For the duration of both phases, work will take place overnight, 7.30pm – 5.30am, Monday to Saturday.
“The road will remain open for the duration of the works, however, the two lanes of traffic will be reduced to one lane overnight during the works.
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“The current traffic signals will be switched off to carry out the upgrades and temporary traffic signals will be in place at all times.”
The work will mean the traffic lights will operate by monitoring traffic flow, rather than fixed changes, which it is hoped will ease congestion at both junctions during peak times.
Highways bosses are hopeful the Bell Lane improvements will help move traffic along which has been freed up following the removal of the traffic lights at the Ropes Drive west roundabout, but currently gets stuck at the Bell Lane lights.
Suffolk county councillor for Kesgrave and Rushmere St Andrew, Robert Whiting, said: “These much needed improvements are part of my ongoing commitment to improve the traffic situation and ease the congestion in Kesgrave and Rushmere St Andrew.
“The replacement of the traffic lights with new more efficient units will improve the effectiveness of these two busy junctions and this work will also enable improvements to be made to the pedestrian and cycle crossings.”
The improvements have been timed to coincide with the school holidays in an effort to disrupt less traffic.
