BARNSLEY Council will ‘categorically not’ be looking into a plan to create a Dutch-style roundabout scheme at Town End after highways bosses claimed it was only ever a suggestion.
The roundabout plans were first mooted in Barnsley back in 2021 but there was no exact location for the scheme until February.
Town End roundabout had been chosen as the location for the scheme, with cabinet members signing off on £420,000 in funding at Wednesday’s meeting.
However, the local authority said the roundabout will not be ‘Dutch-style’ which would remove priority for motorists and hand it to cyclists and pedestrians despite previous reports stating it would be.
Coun James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and transport, said: “Over a number of years the strategic transport team have been looking at Town End roundabout and considering options to ensure that it is fit for purpose both now and in the future.
“That includes ensuring that we can tackle congestion, better manage the flow of traffic on a key gateway into our fabulous new town centre and improve the experience for walkers and cyclists to access this junction safely.
“One suggestion and I stress that it was a suggestion was a ‘Dutch-style’ roundabout back in 2021.
“As with any idea, that was subject to assessment and investigation.
“But we also have 288 other schemes at various stages of development across the borough.
“It doesn’t mean that all of them are going to be delivered.”
Coun Higginbottom added that the council will work together to ensure proposed schemes don’t create problems elsewhere.
“In the three years since this idea was first proposed it has become clear that any improvements at the key gateways into Barnsley from the Alhambra right through to Town End need to be considered together and works carefully managed so that a solution in one area doesn’t create problems elsewhere,” he added.
“We are committed to improving our highway network and ensuring that visitors and residents can access our state-of-the-art town centre.
“You only need to look at Penny Pie Park and Dodworth Road gyratory to see an example of a transformative scheme in action.
“Although some doubted it at the time, the feedback from the vast majority of residents and motorists has been hugely positive.
“We will take that same approach of careful consideration and planning to any changes that need to be made at the key gateways into town.
“Not ‘Dutch-style’ perhaps, but certainly ‘Barnsley-style’.”
