DETAILS of a scheme to ease congestion at a notorious traffic blackspot have finally been unveiled.
Two years ago the Leader launched a campaign to end the traffic nightmare on Deeside.
Shotton, in particular, is plagued with traffic snarl-ups and tailbacks on a daily basis, causing major hold-ups for locals and commuters.
Now detailed plans to end the long-running traffic chaos have been presented to Shotton Town Council.
The work to resolve gridlock on the coast road through Shotton, Connah’s Quay and Queensferry will begin at the end of February and is expected to be completed by mid-March.
Highways chiefs propose to move a bus stop outside Superdrug on Chester Road West, Shotton to the Iceland store where there is already a lay-by.
A lay-by will also be built near the Rivertown United Reformed Church to enable buses to pull in and other vehicles to overtake.
Kevin Sutton, highways strategy manager at Flintshire Council, told a meeting of Shotton Town Council: “There was talk that bus drivers would not pull into a lay-by for fear that no-one would let them out again, but I have been out with the drivers and quashed that one.
“The lay-bys will be as wide as possible and there will also be clear markings on the ground to deter other vehicles from pulling in and parking.”
Meanwhile, the traffic-lights system is to be examined the time allocated for pedestrians to cross the road reduced.
Mr Sutton said: “A person could have crossed the road and walked 15 yards away and the lights could still be on red to traffic.
“We will look at changing the timings on pedestrian crossings. It will be nothing great but we think it will make a difference.”
Mr Sutton said there had been 18 accidents along Chester Road West in five years, two of which involved pedestrians and four involving cyclists.
“There is scope to look at an alternative cycle route which runs parallel to the main road but that won’t be until next year,” he added.
The works follow a study conducted by traffic consultants Atkins, which recommended two bus lay-bys and the synchronising of traffic signals in Shotton to ease the problem.
The findings were almost identical to those Leader readers came up with when we launched a campaign to find a solution to the problem two years ago.
Other suggestions included the abolition of the one-way system on streets off Chester Road West, the building of a central bus exchange and a tunnel under Shotton.
Members of Shotton Town Council welcomed the proposals.
Chairman Cllr Ann Minshull said: “We’ve had officers come to these meetings for seven years and say nothing can be done, so it’s nice for someone to say it can be done.”
Cllr Gary Cooper added: “I’m just happy to hear we have a result.
“If it creates a safer environment, you have my full support.”
But Cllr John Beard warned: “I’d like to think of this as phase one because it won’t solve the problem completely – but it will make it a lot better.”