Congested roundabout set for major overhaul

Barnsley Council has set out proposals to overhaul one of the town's most congested roundabouts.

The authority said it planned to replace the existing layout at Stairfoot with a larger, signal-controlled gyratory system designed to improve traffic flow and increase capacity.

The scheme would result in a larger roundabout with three continuous lanes around the junction, rather than the current layout where lane numbers vary and merge on different approaches.

Work on the £28m scheme is expected to begin in late summer if the scheme is approved.

The junction connects a number of main routes including Doncaster Road, Wombwell Lane and Grange Lane and regularly experiences long queues and delays, particularly at peak times.

As part of the works, approaches to the junction would also be widened and reconfigured, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Wombwell Lane and Bleachcroft Way route would also be straightened and given an additional lane towards the roundabout.

On Grange Lane, both entry and exit points would be expanded to add lanes, and the bridge carrying the Trans Pennine Trail would be replaced and widened.

Turning lanes into Wombwell Retail Park would also be extended to prevent queues backing up, alongside wider footways and improved routes for pedestrians and cyclists.

Funding of up to £27.7m has been identified through the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, with a decision on the outline business case due to be taken by its board in June.

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