ALTON residents have until tomorrow to complete an online survey on plans to introduce traffic lights at the junction of Anstey Road and Anstey Lane.

The proposal, by Hampshire County Council, is the preferred option for improving traffic flow at the junction during morning and evening rush-hour times following the development of the Cadman Farm site in Upper Anstey Lane and the former Coors sports ground in Anstey Road.

The signalised junction is one of three options considered.

The other two are an improved priority junction with a pedestrian refuge in Anstey Lane – which would not, according to HCC, offer the same level of benefit as traffic lights – and the construction of a roundabout, which the authority claims would require the loss of too much land from Anstey Park.

A mini-roundabout was also considered but design testing found it would not offer the same level of operational improvement as the lights.

According to HCC, the junction is already operating at capacity during rush-hour times, and if nothing is done the increase in housing and related vehicle movement would result in significant traffic tailback on both roads over the next six years (2019 to 2026), causing delays and frustration for drivers.

Having considered a number of options, HCC is advocating the installation of traffic lights with controlled staggered crossings and advance stop lines which, it is felt, will address the queuing issues and make the junction safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

The scheme would also include a detector loop to trigger an ‘all red’ to allow safe exit from the private access lane leading to Chimney Cottages.

The signalised junction would include the introduction of a second approach lane on the eastern side of Anstey Lane, requiring widening of the carriageway by taking a slice of land from Anstey Park.

The land would be taken from the south-western corner of the park.

An ecological assessment has been carried out and, according to HCC, the scheme would avoid impacting biodiversity with suitable planning of the works and compensatory planting.

It would also be necessary to relocate the two bus stops, in close proximity to the junction, to take them further east and west along Anstey Road.

If approved, construction is expected to take place in the spring of 2020.

The plans are available to see at Alton Town Hall until 4pm tomorrow, where paper copies of the survey are available.

Call 0300 555 1388 for more details.

The survey can be found online at hants.gov.uk/

transport/transportschemes/ansteyroad.