‘Town End scheme is having right effect’

Pontefract councillor David Jones claims motorists in Pontefract are “already seeing the benefits” of the new layout at Town End junction.
Town End PontefractTown End Pontefract
Town End Pontefract

Wakefield Council built two temporary roundabouts at the junction last week as it continues a £600,000 project to ease congestion.

The project will see the former traffic lights replaced with two roundabouts.

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Coun Jones, who represents the Pontefract South ward, said He said: “I think the project is starting to work out now and people are starting to see the benefits of why the works are being done.

Traffic is now flowing much better and people I have spoken to have all said it has eased traffic in the area.”

The traffic lights at the junction were removed in May and contractors built a single temporary roundabout.

The temporary roundabouts currently in place at the site- are the same layout as how the junction will be once the works a re complete.

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Coun Jones said: “As time goes on people are getting more confident with the new layout and the traffic is flowing better as a result.

“Obviously there is still traffic at peak times but Town End is one of the biggest junctions in the district so there will be but I think, generally speaking, people are happy with the works.”

Coun David Dagger, the council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said the scheme is expected to be complete by early autumn.

He said: “We know that Town End Junction at Pontefract is one of the busiest junctions in the district and our contractors are working as fast as they can to deliver this project

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“Please drive carefully and always approach the junction with the caution you would give any new road layout.

“These are essential roadworks to improve Town End, which in the long term will deliver real benefits to Pontefract by easing traffic congestion. Please be patient and drive safely while the work is carried out.”