BARNSLEY Council’s cabinet members are set to meet in February to discuss the next stages of a groundbreaking scheme to alleviate traffic on the town’s most congested stretch of road.
The council announced the launch of its ‘transformative’ A635 Stairfoot and Cundy Cross scheme in 2024 following a borough-wide consultation.
The survey which was carried out last summer highlighted that Stairfoot roundabout, Cundy Cross’ junctions and Doncaster Road, which is also on the A635 were the joint priorities for residents and businesses.
Stairfoot roundabout was named as the most congested junction across Barnsley, with almost half of all respondents naming it in their top three areas.
A council spokesperson said: “The A635 Stairfoot quality bus corridor is a bus rapid transit (BRT) scheme. It proposes to redesign and increase the size of Stairfoot roundabout and many of its entry and exit lanes.
“The scheme aims to support regeneration by reducing current and forecasted congestion along the A635 Doncaster Road corridor.
“It also aims to improve bus services and journey times and improve pedestrian and cycling facilities to encourage more people to get out and travel active.
“The project is part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) supported by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and central government.”
It has now been revealed that cabinet members will meet on February 18 to discuss the latest stages of the project.
They will be asked to support the use of a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire land in the area that will be used for the improvement scheme, though it has not yet been revealed which land they will be looking to purchase.
The council had previously said they could not see any reason to use powers to use the Compulsory Purchase Order and had aimed to negotiate with landowners for mutual resolution.
However, the latest development suggests this is no longer the case.
The scheme proposes to straighten the approach to the roundabout from Wombwell lane/Bleachcroft Way and replace the bus lane on Doncaster Road which enters the roundabout with an extra all vehicle lane.
The Grange Lane entry onto the roundabout will become three lanes instead of two the exit will increase from one lane to two.
The bus lane on Bleachcroft Way will be replaced with an all-vehicle lane and a bus layby while another lane will be added to the south-east section of the roundabout.
Work is due to start in July.
The spokesperson added: “Widening this roundabout will improve its overall capacity, reducing the time it takes during peak hours to travel through it.
“Reducing congestion across Barnsley’s major travel corridors is vital to continued economic growth.
“Without intervention the current issue will continue to worsen.
“Despite this area already being largely urbanised with very little green space we have undertaken a number of ecological surveys and have mitigation measures in place.
“We also have a comprehensive tree planting and landscape scheme, which includes a ten to one replacement of any trees that are affected, as well a commitment to a biological net gain.”
