Dear Editor,
I am writing with deep concern regarding a busy and increasingly dangerous crossroads in Nantwich – one that is about to become significantly more congested and potentially hazardous if urgent action is not taken.
The junction in question is the crossroads at the Waterlode–Reaseheath Way-Fairfax Drive traffic lights.
With the imminent opening of the A51 Reaseheath Bypass, expected sometime in June, traffic through this area is set to rise dramatically.
The new road will enable vehicles to travel directly through the Kingsbourne estate, linking Water Lode with the A51 bypass – a change that will divert thousands more vehicles through this already busy junction.
The current traffic light configuration, however, is not equipped to handle this surge.
Of particular concern is the right-turn from Water Lode into Reaseheath Way.
As it stands, this manoeuvre is increasingly dangerous and impractical.
It is critical that the traffic light priority be adjusted to give clear precedence to vehicles turning right from Water Lode (from the direction of Nantwich town centre) into Reaseheath Way, which now serves not only the football club but also the Kingsbourne development.
Moreover, the current lane design on Water Lode is inadequate.
The two existing lanes should be reconfigured so that the left-hand lane accommodates both vehicles turning left into Fairfax Drive (serving Kingsley Fields estate) and those continuing straight ahead on Waterlode.
Without this adjustment, congestion and driver confusion are likely to worsen, increasing the risk of accidents and delays.
I urge Cheshire East Council and relevant traffic authorities to review and act on these concerns as a matter of urgency – before the new bypass opens and before a preventable incident occurs.
Regards,
Jonathan White
Wistaston
There is a “temptation”, which is, sometimes, exercised for traffic in the Left-hand lane to avoid waiting (correctly) in the Right-hand lane by driving straight ahead for Acton etc. There is sufficient room on the other side of the junction to widen the lane by utilising the wide grass verge. At the same time it might be wise to “remind” drivers that the speed limit on the road is 30mph. The police used to appear from time to time with a speed camera. I haven’t seen one for “ages”!
I have pointed this out to the council twice before but got no response. It is even worse at the moment as the right-turn light for traffic coming in the opposite direction is not working, so drivers do nit know when it’s safe to turn into Fairfax Drive. However they have scheduled work at these lights sometime in this financial year, so hopefully the problem will be corrected in the next few months.