The junction improvement work at Bond End in Knaresborough has been completed on schedule and the two new roundabouts are fully open to traffic.
The scheme was undertaken by North Yorkshire County Council to address air quality concerns. The two junctions were identified as part of Harrogate Borough Council’s Air Quality Action Plan in 2013. The annual target level for nitrogen dioxide, which mostly comes from traffic pollution, had been exceeded and a key action was to improve the junctions to address the issue of queuing traffic.
The county council approved plans earlier this year to replace the traffic lights at the two junctions with two mini roundabouts and put in four new zebra crossings. The two new junctions will continue to be monitored by CCTV and the nitrogen dioxide levels checked and a final safety audit will take place.
The routing of heavy goods vehicles will also be observed while the temporary CCTV camera is in place as there are clearly signposted weight limits in place at the High Bond End part of the junction.
County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for highways, said:
The scheme involved the removal of all traffic lights and replacing them with two mini-roundabouts with associated zebra crossings. Further enhancements included new kerb alignments, upgraded lighting and new road surfaces.
People still need to think about how they travel and whether alternative means of transport are available for their journey, but the early signs at the junctions are good. Drivers have given positive responses to the new arrangements and residents have spoken highly of the contractors, PBS Construction, who worked efficiently and with great consideration.
We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this project.
Councillor Zoe Metcalfe, chair of the Bond End Steering Group, said:
I would like to thank the highways officers and the contractors for all their hard work in successfully delivering this scheme on time and also thank the residents for their patience and understanding while it was carried out.’
