Traffic Lights to be trialled in Starcross
Traffic lights are to be tried out on the main road through Starcross.
Devon County Council’s trial scheme on the A379 is due to run from Monday 12 February until Thursday 28 March.
The aim will be to improve conditions for all road users through the historic pinchpoint at the 18th Century Courtenay Arms Mews in Starcross. The width of this section of the road makes it difficult for vehicles, particularly HGVs, to pass easily and often leads to queuing traffic at peak times.
Currently, two-way traffic flows on the road past Starcross Fishing and Cruising Club pass in close proximity to pedestrians using narrow footways.
The trial of temporary lights on the A379, which has been partly funded by Councillor Alan Connett’s locality budget, is an opportunity to test and learn how a signal-controlled solution will perform.
The signals will be activated by detecting moving traffic (“vehicle-actuated”) allowing vehicles to travel in a single direction at a time on the Strand. There will also be a signal phase for traffic from the New Road arm of the junction.
Lights will be located just south of the Courtenay Arms Mews car park on the northern side and adjacent to the Galleon Inn on the southern side.
During the trial the County Council will be monitoring the effects, including traffic volumes, queuing and recording traffic using alternative routes. People will also be able to share their experiences of the trial via the Have Your Say consultation page (the questionnaire will be available from Monday 12 February).
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “In my Cabinet Member role and as Vice Chair of Vision Zero South West, I support schemes that aim to improve safety for all road users and this route has historically been a poor performing route compared with similar rural A and B roads. While several schemes have been explored in the past, there has been no obvious solution due to the physical, historic constraints in the centre of Starcross. We want people to share their experiences of this trial, both as a driver using the route and as a pedestrian accessing local shops, facilities, the rail station and the Exe Estuary Trail.”
Councillor Alan Connett, County Councillor for Exminster and Haldon, said: “There have been concerns for many years about traffic through the village. A trial scheme will demonstrate whether lights are a possible solution to help manage traffic through the village, especially at the Pillars. The six-week trial will show whether traffic lights really would work - or if they would cause different problems and residents will be able to feed back on their views about the trial.”
The Have Your Say consultation page is available at https://www.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay/consultations/starcross-traffic-signals-trial/
