New energy-saving traffic lights are to be used throughout South Gloucestershire after a successful trial in Bradley Stoke.

The new environmentally-friendly lights were used between Vantage Business Park, Winterbourne Road  and Old Gloucester Road following the junction’s recent revamp.

The council now says they will be used at other junctions including the A38/B4509 Falfield junction and Shorthill Road crossroads in Westerleigh.

They will eventually be used at all traffic signals in the district.

Councillor Brian Allinson, executive member for planning, transportation and the strategic environment, said: “We are committed to making changes that have a positive impact on the environment, and that reduce costs to the council.

“By using these traffic signals we can reduce the council’s carbon footprint and make huge savings for the council.”

It is the last chance to have your say on a consultation into changes at a busy junction in Bradley Stoke, where there have been several accidents in the past three years.

South Gloucestershire Council wants to alter the road layout at the junction of Braydon Avenue at Brook Way on the border with Little Stoke.

The consultation report says that since 2005 there have been “four personal injury accidents…in the vicinity of the roundabout junction”.

“Two accidents involved nose-to-tail accidents, suggesting late decision making by motorists approaching the give-way lines,” the report goes on to say.

The solution suggestion by the district council would see the size of the “circulatory carriageway” increased by “moving the give-way lines forward”.

“In order to prevent the turning manoeuvres being taken at inappropriate speeds, build-outs will be installed to reduce the turning radius.”

The consultation, details of which can be found here, closes on Sunday, 13 July 2008.

A decision on proposed changes to the Aztec West roundabout and the approach from Bradley Stoke Way are likely to be made in August, The Bradley Stoke Examiner has been told.

South Gloucestershire Council wants to add new bus lanes to the busy junction as part of the Greater Bristol Bus Network.

The authority has also proposed banning right turns from Bradley Stoke Way into Woodlands Lane to try and cut down traffic.

A South Gloucestershire Council spokeswoman said: “The bus priority scheme has undergone a period of consultation, and final proposals have been agreed with the Executive Member [for transport, Brian Allinson].

“Traffic Regulation Orders have also been advertised.

“The Executive Member is expected to make a decision in August whether the proposed Orders are accepted.”

The last day for responses on the plan for new bus lanes at Aztec West roundabout is Monday - you’ve been telling us what you think of the proposals.

If the plan goes ahead the carriageway would be widened between Aztec West Business Park and Woodlands Lane.

A new bus lane would be built which would “allow buses to avoid the queues and delays that occur … during the weekday morning and evening peak periods”.

Right-hand turns from Bradley Stoke Way into Woodlands Lane would also be banned.

Here’s a selection of the comments posted over the past few weeks.

Matt said:

A bus lane? In Bradley Stoke? There’s not enough blooming roon for the cars that are there!! There are most definately living in cloud cuckoo land with that one!!

Andy said:

An extra lane between the Aztec West roundabout and Woodlands lane doesn’t seem too bad an idea - buses stopping at the bus-stop on that short stretch cause a great deal of problems sometimes.

Brian said:

As well as Bowsland Way. All that it will achieve is to change from two moderately blocked junctions to one very blocked one. It can be hard enough getting out of Bowsland Way in the morning without adding to the number of cars using it plus those having right of way at the roundabout from Pear Tree. Absolutely stupid idea.

Dougie said:

I agree with Andy’s original comment about no right turn out of woodland lane but see the problem this would cause. I feel a camera at these lights in all directions would ensure a better, fair traffice flow to all and would either stop or make peiople pay fr jumping the lights. I feel a bus lane would be a terrible idea as everywhere else one has been installed has seen more not less congestion.

Mike said:

Shouldn’t the road improvements be up and running, proven to work etc before any more house building is allowed? Any minor shunt causes gridlock due to the poor road design and lack of foresight by planners. Congestion will only get worse with the new shops by Tesco.

New traffic lights have been installed at the junction of Old Gloucester Road and Winterbourne Road as part of work to improve the busy intersection.

The traffic lights are not yet in use but form part of a scheme which will see better access to the Vantage Business Park.

When complete, traffic heading from Winterbourne to Bradley Stoke will be stopped by a set of lights just past the motorway bridge to allow traffic out of Old Gloucester Road.

A second set of lights are to be installed at the junction with the business park to allow traffic in and out of it.

The work is expected to be complete by May 2008.

A consultation has been launched on plans to upgrade some bus stops in Bradley Stoke that will be part of the Greater Bristol Bus Route.

South Gloucestershire Council wants to hear public opinion on bus stops that will see new kerbs, better shelters and real-time bus information displays.

The plans are part of the West of England Partnership’s - the four ex-Avon authorities - ten bus networks which will run across the Bristol area.

In Bradley Stoke, Aztec West, Bradley Stoke Way, Woodlands Park, Ormonds Close, Bradley Stoke Surgery and Kemperleye Way could all see new facilities.

The full consultation is available here while details of the planned bus network are here.

Stoke Gifford residents will have a chance to have their say on traffic problems in their area during a meeting in March.

The Southern Brooks area meeting will give residents the chance to discuss the parish area traffic management review.

There have been recent calls to open the ‘missing link’ bypass which had been planned from Great Stoke roundabout but was eventually dropped.

An independent report recently backed the road but the final say rests with Hazel Blears, the minister for communities.

The link road will, no doubt, become an increasingly important issue as more housing gets built at Harry Stoke and beside the HP site.

Parking enforcement is also on the agenda: a subject which will no doubt be close to the heart of anyone living near Bristol Parkway railway station.

Residents will also have the chance to quiz councillors on other matters and get involved in an open session with representatives from Avon and Somerset Police.

The meeting takes place at the Bailey’s Court Activity Centre in Bradley Stoke on Tuesday, 4 March 2008. Things get under way at 7pm - but you can get there from 6.15pm if you want a seat at the front.