Plans to permanently redirect traffic on the Grand Harbour roundabout have been put on hold two weeks after residents publicly voiced strong objections to the changes.
The National Roads Authority’s board announced the decision today, 2 June, on its Facebook page just days before new measures were due to be enforced.
It will now be completely reassessing “all available options to improve safety and reduce congestion” outlined in a recent study of traffic in the area, it said.
“This review and analysis will ensure the optimal course of action is taken for the entire road corridor from the CUC Roundabout to the Red Bay Roundabout.”
The authority stressed that safety and congestion concerns will be at the forefront of the reassessment, which Minister for Infrastructure Jay Ebanks has agreed to.
Its former plans would have seen orange posts erected along the lane leading from the Grand Harbour exit to prevent drivers joining the roundabout.
If they needed to travel onto South Sound or Crewe roads, they would have had to head east along Shamrock Road and circle the next roundabout to return to the original roundabout.
On 18 May, more than 100 people attended an Opposition-led public meeting on the proposal at the Seafarers Association in Red Bay.
Many were eager to ask questions and offer alternative suggestions; some even took to the stage to express their upset and confusion over the upcoming changes.
Concerns around placement of the new posts revolved mainly around a longer commute time to George Town, and the increased potential for collisions.
Among the solutions suggested as a substitute to the directional restrictions were speed bumps, traffic lights and new speed limits.
In its social media post, the NRA board thanked the public for their feedback, and asked them to “exercise utmost vigilance” when navigating the roundabout.
It recommended that motorists leaving Grand Harbour for South Sound or George Town exit left and navigate the next roundabout “mainly during peak congestion periods”.
“We are confident that this is the safest route available,” the authority added.
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Again and again. An overpass (flyover) will solve the problem.