Is a new traffic island a roundabout way of solving congestion problems?

Everyone agrees that certain roads in the town struggle to cope with the increasing amounts of traffic using them as Biggleswade’s population slowly grows.

But where people disagree is exactly how this problem should be solved.

The proposed mini roundabout at the junction of Shortmead Street and Sun Street is a case in point.

Many a motorist will sympathise with those who argue that a roundabout is needed immediately and is the only way of reducing waiting times for those who are trying to turn right out of Sun Street. Anyone who has ever tried to access Shortmead Street this way will be familiar with the long and frustrating waits for a gap in the oncoming traffic to appear.

Many actually turn left and turn round at the roundabout that links Shortmead Street and the High Street – which can actually seem like the faster option.

But what is the best way of dealing with this problem? Though a new roundabout does have the support of many, others argue that traffic lights would make more sense. They say Shortmead Street drivers would just ignore their Sun Street counterparts at the roundabout.