I attended the High Street between 7:45am and 8:15am today to make observations at the temporary roundabout at the head of Bedford Road.
This has now replaced the traffic lights. The pedestrian-controlled crossing across Bedford Road (church to King's Head) has also been removed.
One person was unsure where to cross the road from the Church side. Directed her to a gap between plastic temporary barriers further down. Spoke to site (foreman?) who seemed to arrange for more barriers to be placed around the curb near the church. Another lady on the other side standing waiting to cross, unsure if she should cross there or not. I escorted her across.
Artic lorry turning left from Bedford Road. Wheels go over kerb. Site (foreman?) pointed out to me that the current pedestrian "refuge area" was barriered-off because of the poles still in situ, and tarmaccing work, would be removed so artic lorries would in the end have more manoeuvrability at the junction.
From the Dunstable approach the "straight on" lane is unusable at the moment due to tarmacking and temporary barriers. When it is available to use I am concerned that it might not be used because it is not in alignment with the carriageway on the other side to come off the roundabout. But as this is a temporary roundabout, this may not be a problem in the end.
Observed three vehicles emerge from Dunstable side, in separate incidents continue straight over the roundabout without giving way to traffic signalling right and already on the roundabout. This is dangerous. This occurs because drivers are so used to carrying on from the Dunstable side to the Houghton Regis side while traffic from the Houghton Regis side queues up and signals to turn right.
Crossing from Co-op to Bedford Square now has no pedestrian lights. Difficult to cross due to now constant flow of traffic.
The speed of traffic now seems much higher than before. Until 20mph is in place, and zebra crossings are down it is going to be tricky for pedestrians crossing the road at all points. It is also going to be harder for motorists to emerge from Church car park and Whitehouse Close.
Query sent to Highways asking if consideration can be given to painting temporary zebra crossing markings, to assist pedestrians, given the speeded-up traffic, or is the timescale so short before they are properly replaced that it's not worth considering?
Other observations:
“I've seen a lot of feedback from people using the junction Bedford Road / High Street Houghton Regis.
1 People are grateful for the lollipop ladies.
2. People are saying the crossing is too near the junction.
3. People are saying that cars are NOT STOPPING at the roundabout when there is traffic already on it with the right of way.
