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Newbury - A new junction on the A339 for the London Road Industrial Estate

Started by Administrator, December 17, 2014, 12:41:17 am

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Administrator

Newbury - A new junction on the A339 for the London Road Industrial Estate




The London Road Industrial Estate  next to Newbury town centre is set for a major transformation, with the first step being creation of a new access road onto the A339.

The area is bounded by the A339 to the west, and the A4 London Road to the north. With the exception of some flagship businesses, the area has a lot of derelict land and some empty buildings, providing an excellent opportunity for regeneration.

Proposed plans for the area were outlined at a recent conference on the 'Vision for Newbury 2026. They were presented by developer St. Modwen Properties PLC.

The developer's presentation described plans to make the area integral to Newbury town centre, featuring tree-lined boulevards within the site, new employment opportunities, and the potential to deliver more than 300 town centre homes in this key brownfield location.

The developers presentation included plans for a new junction on the A339 to provide direct access to the estate's Fleming Road. A diagram of the proposed junction is shown above.

The new signal-controlled junction will feature a crossing for pedestrians and cyclists linking the estate to a new landscaped entrance to Victoria Park. A new footpath/cycleway will be created in the park itself - fully lit - running from the new park entrance southbound, replacing the pavement adjacent to the A339 and connecting with the other footpath/cycle ways in the park. A survey was carried by West Berkshire Council in conjunction with Newbury Town Council to agree the best route for the pathway through the park.

The embankment next to the road will be cleared of existing debris, scrub and some of the trees, enabling the carriageway to be widened to create a filter lane for drivers to turn right into the estate. There will be replanting with native trees, and landscaping of the embankment which will significantly enhance the whole area.

As the estate matures and developments of new housing at the racecourse and at Sandleford come on stream, further traffic management measures along the A339 are planned including modifications to the Robin Hood junction and other roundabouts along the route. Computer modelling has shown that, with these improvements in place, increased traffic volumes can be absorbed.

West Berkshire Executive Councillor, Pamela Bale, said: "Redevelopment of the estate will result in a new, high quality part of the town with a strategic pedestrian and cycle link to the centre via Victoria Park. It will be a significant new asset for Newbury."

If planning permission for the new junction is granted, work on the road scheme should begin in 2015.

phuct

I honestly think that this is one of the worst ideas ever.

The dual carriageway gets clogged up on many occasions as it is whilst pushing the jam back down to the Robin Hood gyratory. This is just going to make it worse.

Also why is there a an ability to turn left into Fleming Rd going southbound. Surely the traffic that wants to enter the estate will have a better route by going down the A4 and turning into Faraday Rd?

Old Goat

On the other hand it might, just might improve traffic flows. Particularly if the Faraday / London Road junction is also upgraded.  There are some very sophisticated traffic modelling tools which the Department of Transport, TfL and such like use.  Based on real time data they can get from satellite monitoring of existing traffic flows.  Using such should mean a better result.  Presumably, there are professional traffic planners at WBC?