ROUNDABOUT THINKING

Fountains Roundabout Chester Showing Existing Traffic Lights (image provided by Chester West and Chester Council media release)

Following this summer's two-stage traffic and pedestrian trial at the Fountains Roundabout, Cheshire West and Chester Council has provided an update on its findings.

Phase 1 of the scheme saw the permanent traffic signals at the roundabout turned off in order to assess how the junction operated without them.

Phase 2 of the trial began two weeks' later, where a temporary pedestrian crossing was installed across St. Oswald's Way to help pedestrians crossing the road. This was undertaken because of the number of pedestrians found to be crossing between traffic at this location and not wanting to use the sub-way.

To assess the impact of the trial, surveys were undertaken both before and during the trial, to assist with evaluating the success of the temporary crossing. Some key findings of both phases are given below.

During the trial period, the Council set-up an online survey to obtain feedback from members of the public on the impact of the trial. An impressive 3063 responses were received in just 17 days.

90% of people agree with keeping the permanent traffic signals switched off, 84% of pedestrians agree that the trial has been beneficial for improving their journey and 88% of car drivers agreed that the trial was beneficial for improving their journey.

Owing to the initial survey results together with engineering observations, a decision was taken in July to leave the "permanent" traffic signals switched off.

A permanent design is now being undertaken to build on the success of the trial by removing the traffic signal control on the roundabout and to provide a new permanent pedestrian crossing on St. Oswald's Way.

The permanent scheme is expected to be delivered in the Spring of 2026.