Works has started on a project to improve safety and accessibility on one of Salford’s busiest roundabouts.

Following a number of incidents involving cyclists on the Irlams O’ Th’ Height Roundabout, Urban Vision - Capita’s partnership with Salford City Council - has designed a scheme to improve public safety that will help to reduce traffic speeds, improve pedestrian and cyclist accessibility, improve links with existing cycle facilities, and at the same time maintain the flow of traffic on the roundabout.

The key features of the scheme design involve:

• Widening of footways to allow shared used by both pedestrians and cyclists;
• Formalising the lanes and reducing their width to promote traffic safety;
• Creating new pedestrian and cycling crossing points;
• Improving the subways by installing new lighting and surfacing as well as removing graffiti and overgrown shrubs.

The contractor, Eric Wright Civil Engineering Ltd, will be working closely with Urban Vision’s engineers to construct the scheme over a 14-week period, with an anticipated completion date of mid October 2015.

To keep disruption to a minimum, traffic flows will only be reduced during off-peak hours and a Community Support Officer has been assigned to the project to help with any commuter or resident queries about the scheme.

Peter Openshaw, Urban Vision’s Operations Director said: “We look forward to bringing this improvement scheme to life, not only to improve safety, but to help encourage further walking and cycling in Salford.”

For further information contact Peter Openshaw