HIGHWAY chiefs have introduced a new traffic control system on the A46 at Hinton-on-the-Green following complaints of hold-ups from road users.

The traffic management system is in operation because of the construction of a new cycle path alongside the southbound carriageway of the A46 between the northern end of the Sedgeberrow bypass and the roundabout at the Cheltenham Road end of the Evesham bypass, a distance of 2.3km.

Bob Bilbie, route sponsor with the Highways Agency, said: "In response to feedback from road users and local residents we have changed the traffic management used on the road with traffic lights which will be used during off-peak hours."

Work on the cycle path is now taking place between 9am and 4pm and from 6pm until dark, and on Saturdays from 7am until 1pm. Traffic restrictions will be used around the section of work where construction is taking place with a 10mph speed limit for use where necessary.

Mr Bilbie explained: "The revised work time will mean the project will take longer to complete than anticipated and it is estimated that the work will now finish at the end of August.

"We recognise that the work has caused delays to road users and as a result we have amended our timetable, however this does have the knock-on effect of the work taking longer to complete."

l What do you think? Is enough forethought put into road planning and traffic management. Are there some road works near you that could benefit from staggered working hours? Write to: Journal Series, Briar Close, Evesham. WR11 4JT