Villagers slam 'confusing' ruling on traffic lights

2 days ago

Lindsey Alderin Fillongley

The four way junction in Fillongley is an "accident hotspot" according to Warwickshire County Council

BBC The photo shows a four way crossroads with vans and cars queuing up at each junction to turn left and right. There is a Give Way sign as well as signs pointing to Coventry, Nuneaton, Kingsbury and Meriden. The roads are surrounded by a mix of trees and houses. The sky is blue with some white clouds. — The four way junction in Fillongley is an "accident hotspot" according to Warwickshire County Council

Anger and confusion have been sparked over whether plans for new traffic lights in a Warwickshire village will go ahead.

Warwickshire County Council wants to use around £2.65m from HS2, before April next year, to put in the signals in Fillongley, despite strong opposition from villagers.

Residents say traffic speeding and queuing at the lights - earmarked for the junction of Meriden, Nuneaton, Tamworth and Coventry roads - would have a negative impact, especially on the nearby school.

Although the plans were approved last week, there is confusion over the finer details after the county council said its councillor in charge of highways remains able to vary them before a final decision is made.

Residents are worried about the impact on the nearby primary school

A large temporary sign is attached to green railings advertising places available at Bournebrook Church of England Primary School & Nursery. On the top right there is a permanent white sign with green writing for Bournebrook Church of England (voluntarily controlled) Primary School. Behind the railings is a hedge and some trees. — Residents are worried about the impact on the nearby primary school

The plan has left parents concerned about the safety of their children getting to Bournebrook Primary School on Coventry Road, especially because of fears lorries would need to mount pavements to pass each other.

Terri New, who son is a pupil, said she was totally opposed to the plan.

"I just think it's going to ruin the village. How do you get two lorries up and down this road when there are traffic lights holding the traffic up?," she asked, referring to a narrow section of Coventry Road that could be widened under the plan.

"They've got to try and cross somewhere and where are they going to cross? I mean it's so dangerous."

A report to the county council cabinet advised members to give the traffic lights the go-ahead, alongside additional measures to mitigate knock-on effects.

Terri New is one of the local parents worried about her children's safety

A woman stands to the right of the photo smiling at the camera. She has brown hair in a ponytail and is wearing a pink top with straps. Behind her is green railings with two signs on for Bournebrook Church of England Primary School, — Terri New is one of the local parents worried about her children's safety

In reference to Coventry Road, officers anticipated traffic queues only on weekday afternoons, with yellow box-junction markings considered "to mitigate this risk".

Another parent Gary Baskerville, said something needs to be done to stop collisions at the crossroads, but he has backed the plan in principle.

"What comes through the village is cars going too fast," he said. "So, if they controlled the speed limit from the top of the hill down to 20 miles an hour, that's going to obviously have a big effect.

"Lives are more important than what happens here at the moment."

Fillongley Parish Council had said it backs safety improvements but officials are concerned about unintended consequences of the plans and say traffic lights are not the answer to reducing accidents.