Woolston: Critics claim scheme has failed to solve traffic issues

People living in Johns Road, Woolston, claim the scheme has done nothing to prevent motorists from flouting the 20mph speed limit.

They also say it has failed to stop people contravening the one-way system.

Two of three new traffic islands are on the same side of the road as areas reserved for residents' parking.

Critics claim drivers spotting a long, clear stretch of carriageway ahead of them have reached speeds of up to 60mph.

Johns Road residents Clive Robinson, Bernadette Phillips, Jennie Lloyd and Albert Buckman (Image: Newsquest.)

They are calling for speed bumps to be installed alongside the islands to force motorists to slow down.

But the council has defended the scheme, saying it was designed with the help of residents - many of whom voiced support for the measures during a public consultation.

READ MORE: Woolston residents want action over wrong-way drivers in one-way street

Johns Road is near a busy shopping area and is often used as a rat run.

The work was carried out as part of the Woolston and Itchen Active Travel Zone (ATZ), which aims to address concerns relating to the speed of traffic and the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

A traffic-calming scheme at Johns Road, Woolston, has been branded a waste of time and money by people liviing in the (Image: Newsquest.)

Retired postman Clive Robinson, 62, said: "It's a waste of money and hasn't done any of the things the council said it would.

"Two of the traffic islands are on the wrong side of the street, which means Johns Road is still dead straight. It's just like it was before they went in."

Another resident added: "Drivers are speeding faster and using the last traffic island as a racetrack turn."

Critics say three new traffic islands in John's Rod have failed to tackle the issue of speeding traffic (Image: Newsquest.)

A council spokesperson said a 2021 survey revealed that people were concerned about motorists contravening the one-way system and driving too fast.

The following year residents attending design workshops suggested ways to resolve issues in the ATZ area, including John’s Road.

The resulting proposals included traffic islands that would narrow the road to the width of one vehicle at the start of the one-way section, plus nearby junctions.

The spokesperson said: "Residents were invited to complete a survey on the proposed measures.

"Of those who responded, 78 per cent agreed that on John's Road drivers will be less likely to contravene the one-way system and 67 per cent agreed there will be less speeding.

"The traffic islands are located on the east side of the road to allow legitimate, northbound traffic to flow and to impede southbound traffic contravening the one-way system."

The council's statement in full:

"The first phase of Active Travel Zone (ATZ) improvements to deliver the Woolston and Itchen ATZ was completed in John’s Road in Woolston.

"ATZs are neighbourhoods that encourage active travel through a range of measures which calm traffic and improve the environment for people walking, wheeling or cycling. This can help to address concerns with air quality, speed of traffic and safety. The idea of an ATZ for Woolston and Itchen was first suggested to local residents in a survey in August 2021 which saw nearly 3,000 contributions from local people and identified John’s Road as one of the locations most in need of improvements.

"In the August 2021 perception survey, residents told us many drivers contravene the one-way system on John’s Road and travel at speed. At co-design workshops in January 2022 local residents worked together to suggest ideas to resolve issues identified across the ATZ area including John’s Road. The resulting proposal, following assessment by traffic engineers for feasibility, were the series of traffic islands which narrow the road to the width of one vehicle at the start of the one-way section, and the following junctions.

"Residents were invited by post to complete a survey on the proposed measures in summer 2022. Of those who responded, 78% agreed that on John’s Road drivers will be less likely to contravene the one-way system and 67% agreed that there will be less speeding. Outline designs were included in the survey showing the location & size of the 3 traffic islands, and these have been built in the locations as shown. The survey results, including the design drawings, can be found here: woolstonitchen-atz-consultation-report.pdf (southampton.gov.uk) on page 15.

"The traffic islands are located on the east side of the road to allow legitimate, northbound traffic to flow and to impede southbound traffic which would be contravening the one-way system and have been located to the south of the junctions to hinder traffic attempting to turn left/southbound which would again be the one-way system."