Traffic lights at Canford Bottom on for testing

12:34pm Wednesday 20th June 2012 in News By Harriet Marsh

A reader sent us this picture from the roundabout A reader sent us this picture from the roundabout

Some lights around the Canford Bottom roundabout are being tested today as the £5.7million project nears its final stages.

Drivers should comply with any lights that are on around the roundabout near Wimborne, a Highways Agency spokesman said.

But the lights are just on for testing and it does not mean the whole junction is open, he added.

The revamped roundabout is due to be finished in time for the Olympics.

An opening date is expected shortly.

Comments(37)

Old Colonial says...
1:03pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Let's hope that drivers are reading this in the Echo as they approach the junction. Should save confusion.

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Tullymore says...
1:59pm Wed 20 Jun 12

I discovered the lights were on as I came home from work at 6 am this morning. All I can say is that it's a good job the roads were quiet and not all the traffic lights were on as the amount of lane changing going on was unbelievable. What a waste of money! Give us a flyover PLEASE!

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Martyn77 says...
2:26pm Wed 20 Jun 12

A flyover would be no use there... All that would do is move the problems onto the next roundabout. Unless you're planning on building flyovers down the entire length of the A31 a flyover at Canford Bottom would be pretty redundant.

That's not to mention the extra noise it would cause for the local residents.

A flyover was considered and, sensibly, rejected.

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IDONTKNOWIFITISTRRUE says...
2:59pm Wed 20 Jun 12

From that picture, I would guess that grockles and other strangers to the area would maybe think that the word on the road is an exhortation to keep calm after having been confronted with all the traffic lights (:o))
I live many miles from Canford Bottom and I don't know what it means. I am sure someone will tell us

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Huey says...
3:01pm Wed 20 Jun 12

They should have left it as was, and given me the money instead.

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EGHH says...
3:23pm Wed 20 Jun 12

IDONTKNOWIFITISTRRUE wrote:
From that picture, I would guess that grockles and other strangers to the area would maybe think that the word on the road is an exhortation to keep calm after having been confronted with all the traffic lights (:o))
I live many miles from Canford Bottom and I don't know what it means. I am sure someone will tell us
It's the route to Colehill.

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harrythered says...
3:34pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Martyn77 wrote:
A flyover would be no use there... All that would do is move the problems onto the next roundabout. Unless you're planning on building flyovers down the entire length of the A31 a flyover at Canford Bottom would be pretty redundant.

That's not to mention the extra noise it would cause for the local residents.

A flyover was considered and, sensibly, rejected.
A flyover was only rejected on grounds of cost, it is still the Highways Agency preferred option. A flyover there would be a great help because of the fact there are 6 roads (exit/entry points) dominated by the A31, its a bit like saying there was no need for a flyover at Fleetsbridge! As for the other roundabout argument (merley in particular) that is not relevant because they do not have the number of local roads adjoining, at Merley for example the road merely splits into 2, the same is true with the Trickets Cross junction. Any way I shall pop down there in a minute and see how the lights are faring, I may spend a few minutes testing the pedestrian crossing buttons!

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IDONTKNOWIFITISTRRUE says...
3:51pm Wed 20 Jun 12

EGHH says 'It's the route to Colehill'.
Fine, locals know that but those non-locals or not using a satnav might not and also when the junction is busy, who has time to look around at other traffic, signs at the side of the road as well as looking and trying to decipher cryptic signs painted on the road surface?

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funkychicken_83 says...
4:49pm Wed 20 Jun 12

I agree that a flyover would have been a much better option that this, or better still, bypass the area completely as the roads just aren't big enough to cope with the volume of traffic using them. I am dreading going round there as I can imagine that it is going to be increadibly confusing having so many traffic lights, esp for anyone out of the area that doesnt know where they are going.

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uvox44 says...
5:23pm Wed 20 Jun 12

how about this for a radical solution? everyone stop rushing around like headless chickens , try relaxing and enjoying your lives! oh no , forgot, that isn't the message that govt wants put out-work hard! rush about! pay tax! get as much stuff as you can- then you'll be happy! (and help the big corporations make lots of money for the shareholders and bosses , the people the govt really are in power to help).

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funkychicken_83 says...
5:30pm Wed 20 Jun 12

I take it you aren't one of the unfortunate ones that will have to sit in the traffic created by these changes uvox. Not very east to relax and enjoy life when you spend a considerable amount of time sat doing nothing when trying to get home.

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Martyn77 says...
5:31pm Wed 20 Jun 12

My father has been watching the traffic this afternoon - he stopped off for a while after walking the dog. Apparently it's been flowing fine.

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uvox44 says...
5:36pm Wed 20 Jun 12

unkychicken_83 says...
5:30pm Wed 20 Jun 12
I take it you aren't one of the unfortunate ones that will have to sit in the traffic created by these changes uvox. Not very east to relax and enjoy life when you spend a considerable amount of time sat doing nothing when trying to get home.

I guess not-so how about doing something that avoids all that rushing and stress?

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funkychicken_83 says...
6:17pm Wed 20 Jun 12

I have, I quit working in Ferndown a few years ago so only have to go through there a few times a month now. Doesn't solve the problem for everyone else though.

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JJMcClure says...
6:44pm Wed 20 Jun 12

The BBC's website is reporting 2 accidents since the lights were turned on this morning. I went through there earlier today and thought it was ok but some people did appear confused as cars kwept changing lanes.

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Martyn77 says...
6:45pm Wed 20 Jun 12

JJMcClure wrote:
The BBC's website is reporting 2 accidents since the lights were turned on this morning. I went through there earlier today and thought it was ok but some people did appear confused as cars kwept changing lanes.
That happened anyway!

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roundthecorner says...
6:50pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Well there's a surprise - 2 accidents since the lights were turned on this morning. On going round the roundabout at the rush hour this morning, we found that the lane markings and required lane changes were just not compatible. We did say that there would be a few bumps as folks tried to get into the correct lane. From Colehill to Ham Lane is just stupid. I think perhaps the roundabout is just not wide enough and complete accuracy is essential. Give it a couuple of weeks and changes will be made. On paper is looks good but practically, it leaves very much to be desired. Waste of money, waste of time and complete waste of our patience over the past six months.

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cascat says...
6:52pm Wed 20 Jun 12

I went through the new traffic lights today at 8.35am. I was in a queue in Ham Lane and I had to sit through NINE traffic light changes before I got to the end of the road and turning left onto the Wimborne by-pass there was another set I had to stop for! There are so many lights - it is so confusing - it's 'an accident waiting to happen'. The road was far better before all these changes took place.

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funkychicken_83 says...
6:54pm Wed 20 Jun 12

It was confusing enough when they added those lanes a few years ago, with people not understanding why they were being taken to the outside of the roundabout when they were turning right. It was much better when it was a normal roundabout as everyone just knew how to go around it.

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dinkie123 says...
8:21pm Wed 20 Jun 12

JJMcClure wrote:
The BBC's website is reporting 2 accidents since the lights were turned on this morning. I went through there earlier today and thought it was ok but some people did appear confused as cars kwept changing lanes.
My dad text me saying he'd witnessed an accident there this morning on his way to work..about 7.30am and also said my mum had had 2 near misses using it today!
Unfortunately living in Colehill, there's not much avoiding. I'm just thankful I'm not around the area at the moment whilst they fix the **** they've caused!
The solution wasn't to mess with the roundabout or anything, but would've been to have just shut all the side roads like they have been anyway, so just the a31 flowed through during olympic dates, or, to have put improved signage and provided people with alternative route options- ie through salisbury!!...proble
m solved, hardly any money spent, and no accidents!

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williwood says...
8:37pm Wed 20 Jun 12

I was confused by the lights - just like a Christmas tree ! and I knew where I was going !
Heaven help the visitor !

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Roband65 says...
9:13pm Wed 20 Jun 12

This has all been put in place for the supposed olympic traffic to weymouth,if you deduct the holiday makers that would normally be going there but are not this year the traffic will be no different .Maybe i am wrong !

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danzpanz says...
9:55pm Wed 20 Jun 12

caught this thread late but i support the changes the roundabout. It seems that the lights are only on for testing so there will be some bedding in time I guess. In terms of the accidents i think both involved women so not sure if the traffic easing improvements actually caused these. Just my opinion though.

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ABCD1 says...
11:06pm Wed 20 Jun 12

I use the r'about twice a day, both times today the traffic lights were on and I experienced no traffic queues, happy days if this continues!

That said on my approach from Ferndown via staple hill i noticed there are no road signs to advise which lane you need. Luckily as there wasn't much traffic I was able to change lanes easily, I'm not so sure it would of been so pleasant if I had to change lanes during a busy period.

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Markmag says...
11:49pm Wed 20 Jun 12

roundthecorner wrote:
Well there's a surprise - 2 accidents since the lights were turned on this morning. On going round the roundabout at the rush hour this morning, we found that the lane markings and required lane changes were just not compatible. We did say that there would be a few bumps as folks tried to get into the correct lane. From Colehill to Ham Lane is just stupid. I think perhaps the roundabout is just not wide enough and complete accuracy is essential. Give it a couuple of weeks and changes will be made. On paper is looks good but practically, it leaves very much to be desired. Waste of money, waste of time and complete waste of our patience over the past six months.
I'm not sure it will change. A similar "hamburger" in Staines (http://maps.google.
co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=b
racknell&ie=UTF8&ll=
51.437531,-0.499733&
spn=0.002411,0.00480
7&t=h&z=18) requires complete accuracy at all points and has been there for over a decade. Make a mistake at any point and you're better off taking the wrong exit and turning around for another go then try changing lanes and getting shunted. Long queues and long waits at lights too, although I'd admit the queues would be longer with a conventional roundabout plus lights.

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Lord Spring says...
7:15am Thu 21 Jun 12

Going by the picture if you want to chill out go right

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KBundy says...
7:57am Thu 21 Jun 12

I went through the system yesterday when it went live and if what I witnessed, a major accident is only days away.

Coming from the Merley side before the major works had started if you wanted to go to ham lane you would've been in the right-hand lane, now you have to be in the left lane. So sitting three cars back ahead of me was one white van and two cars, when the traffic lights went green the white van realised he was in the wrong lane ( right lane) and immediately turn hard left across the traffic to regain the roundabout route. When halfway across the roundabout a white car that was in the middle lane now decided that they wanted to go right so hesitated then pulled across to the left stopped and then turn right at the end of the crossover of the roundabout again into the traffic.

From my experience I saw no improvement in traffic flow in fact the queue for the roundabout from Ferndown was all the way back to the police roundabout.

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Phixer says...
8:47am Thu 21 Jun 12

IDONTKNOWIFITISTRRUE wrote:
EGHH says 'It's the route to Colehill'.
Fine, locals know that but those non-locals or not using a satnav might not and also when the junction is busy, who has time to look around at other traffic, signs at the side of the road as well as looking and trying to decipher cryptic signs painted on the road surface?
The answer is simple and has been in use for decades. PLAN YOUR ROUTE!

Know where you are going and follow the signs.



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funkychicken_83 says...
11:30am Thu 21 Jun 12

Phixer wrote:
IDONTKNOWIFITISTRRUE wrote:
EGHH says 'It's the route to Colehill'.
Fine, locals know that but those non-locals or not using a satnav might not and also when the junction is busy, who has time to look around at other traffic, signs at the side of the road as well as looking and trying to decipher cryptic signs painted on the road surface?
The answer is simple and has been in use for decades. PLAN YOUR ROUTE!

Know where you are going and follow the signs.


All well and good saying this, but you can't memorise every single roundabout and what lane you should be in. I haven't been round there yet, but if its like a lot of roundabouts where the lane markings are on the road and not a sign then it doesnt give you a lot of chance to plan which lane you are getting into. And as has been said by KBundy, if someone going right has to get into the left lane it isnt exactly logical. Locals are having problems knowing which lanes to use and they know where they are trying to go.

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harrythered says...
2:23pm Thu 21 Jun 12

Ok - so people are saying plan your route and follow the signs but... The signs are actually painted on the road so no good if cars are in front. I have been round twice today - once from Colehill (Chill) to Ham Lane and back again later in the day. Very confusing, I can see that people will be looking at the wrong traffic lights, cars block the lanes in front and it was chaotic as most cars seemed to be in the wrong lane - not their fault but because of the lack of signs. I didn't go through in rush hour!!!

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topofall says...
4:28pm Thu 21 Jun 12

Echo please note, the A31 is not a 'dual carriageway' as in your printed report! The new tiny, tiny bit of dual carriageway is where the problems will happen. I predict lots of road rage from drivers cutting each other up. Why was the road ever single after the industrial estate roundabout?

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Caveman Cray says...
7:32pm Thu 21 Jun 12

I really hope the light sequences are going to be adjusted a part of the 'testing'. I've been through the middle of the 'hamburger', both times during rush hour, & I couldn't see any improvement in traffic flow.
I pray this traffic system doesn't end up as another Fleetsbridge roundabout fiasco where the traffic flowed better before all the traffic lights were installed!

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rba says...
10:26pm Thu 21 Jun 12

what an absolute mess.

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TrevorH says...
9:30am Fri 22 Jun 12

Given the ongoing (and predicted) massive increases in obesity, I simply don't think the lanes are wide enough. What an extraordinary lack of forward planning.

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MrBBBBm says...
6:20pm Fri 22 Jun 12

What a waste of money, it might be ok for people passing throught from ferndown to poole but if you are travelling from Colehill or Ham lane and have to go all the way round its terrible, the road markings are awful, people look to be getting frustrated, there is going to be some accidents and road rage here im sure. I hope the Olympics are worth it!

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alasdair1967 says...
7:58pm Fri 22 Jun 12

35 mins this afternoon to drive/crawl west bound from fern down industrial estate roundabout to the turn off at merely roundabout to Poole a distance of 4.1 miles according to the planners improved traffic flow and quicker journey time in the words of jim royle MY Ar&e !!!

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IDONTKNOWIFITISTRRUE says...
11:39pm Fri 22 Jun 12

Perhaps it has been made complicated so that those who can, will find and continue using an alternative route thus reducing the traffic flow. I for one have found an alternative place to get my car serviced which means that I will not have to travel from the west of the county through Canford B*m to Ferndown.

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