LETTER: Here’s why we needed to sort out the lanes - and here’s why we are now putting up extra signs to help motorists

The idea of designating lanes on both the BP roundabout and the A10/Angel Drove roundabout is to reduce the number of vehicles queuing in the left hand lane around the Ely bypass and has been done with the absolute best of intentions.

The idea of designating lanes on both the BP roundabout and the A10/Angel Drove roundabout is to reduce the number of vehicles queuing in the left hand lane around the Ely bypass and has been done with the absolute best of intentions.

The Highway Code roundabout guidance states, when taking an intermediate exit (ie not turning left or right), unless signs or markings indicate otherwise, drivers should “select the appropriate lane on approach to and on the roundabout”.

In the case of the BP roundabout, most people approaching the roundabout from the Sutton direction towards Ely that were trying to go straight on into Ely, tended to get into the left hand lane.

In the case of the A10/Angel Drove roundabout, most people approaching Ely from the Cambridge direction that were trying to go straight on into Ely, also tended to get into the left hand lane.

This exacerbated queuing problems on the A10 bypass between the two roundabouts and on the roads leading up to the roundabouts at peak times and a number of residents raised this problem with me.

I therefore consulted with Cambridgeshire County Council Highways team who felt that lane designations on the roundabouts could help - shifting people trying to go straight on (in the circumstances I mention above) into the right hand lane would reduce the number of cars in the left hand lane A10 Ely bypass queue.

Although this type of lane designation is well used on Britain’s roads, the roads around East Cambs don’t have many lane designated roundabouts, so people are not so used to them locally, and it is obvious that we should have done more in terms of publicising the change and having appropriate signage about the change on the roadside.

This has now been addressed, with temporary signs having been put up and Highways are getting some more permanent “get in lane” signs sorted out as quickly as possible.

Highways advice was that this solution should help to ease the traffic congestion situation (although it obviously won’t cure it), once people had got used to the new lane designations, assuming they follow them, as they are only advisory.

I am now campaigning for a pedestrian crossing on Cambridge Road in Ely and hope to hear from people that agree this is a good idea!

ANNA BAILEY

CCC, County Councillor - Ely South & West

ECDC, District Councillor - Downham Villages

STATEMENT

The county council said this week: “Following all the feedback we have received regarding the new lines on the roads around Ely, we will be installing a series of new signs to help road users with the changes.

“Signs warning of the new road layout have been erected this morning and ‘get in lane’ type signs will also be installed – these will be supported by messages on the electronic signs.

“We will continue to monitor the site and would like to thank everyone for their comments in the last few day.”