Milton Road update: January 2024

The Milton Road project aims to improve public transport, cycling and walking infrastructure to make these sustainable travel options a more attractive alternative to the car.

Following the Christmas break, this month has been a busy one with more works being started, completed or almost completed, and good progress being made on several other areas.

Final surfacing works on the west of Mitcham’s Corner should start from the middle of February.

This section is set to be complete by the end of the month.

Ramsden Square is still closed to traffic.

Works are progressing well for reopening by the end of March.

Edging kerbs, which mark the path and road boundary, have been installed.

The kerbs have been placed halfway between Ramsden Square and the King’s Hedges south-west quadrant.

Site clearance for work on the south-west quadrant is complete and excavation is now underway.

Once all works at the junction have been completed, pedestrians and cyclists will benefit from safer, quicker journeys, while traffic can still flow through this busy junction.

Within the next couple of weeks, the section on the east side, north of King’s Hedges leading to the bus stop on the east opposite the Golden Hind / Lovell Road, is scheduled to be completed as will be the last remaining part on Green End Road. The section from Fraser Road to the bus stop by the Golden Hind will then be complete.

We are aware of increased traffic levels in the area around King’s Hedges junction, which has resulted in longer wait times. Green End Road now has two lanes open, which should ease the traffic.

The lights have recently been sequenced to allow traffic to flow as much as possible and are continually monitoring traffic on all four arms, adjusting the timings accordingly. We ask that all road users travelling through this junction obey the lights. Going through the lights when they are on red creates a build-up of traffic and prevents the lights from working effectively. Please allow extra time for your journey.

We have implemented a new site layout for all areas of active works located between the shops at Mitcham’s Corner and Elizabeth Way / Highworth Avenue roundabout.

The new system is designed to keep members of the public safe from areas of construction, and to provide a dedicated gated entrance and exit for residents who live directly within the works areas. We ask members of the public who do not live within the gated area to cross and use the other side of the road.

This new layout will then be implemented across the scheme and will enable us to work efficiently and safely.

Work is proceeding within the gated area between George Street and just before the roundabout initially on the east before crossing over to the west to start between Ascham Road and Hurst Park Avenue, with narrow lanes shortly being installed to allow works to commence. 

As we approach spring, we are happy to see that the crocuses on the Elizabeth Way / Highworth Avenue roundabout are coming to life and blossoming after being planted during landscaping works which took place in late last year.

For further information on how the trees on the roundabout are being cared for, please view our tree maintenance video.

Works are progressing well both north and south of the roundabout.

Businesses at the Arbury Road junction are open as usual during works, with dedicated access points for vehicle parking.

We began with an excavation of the area to identify utilities. Drainage and kerb lines will then be installed. We expect to continue into spring 2024.

The northbound (Union Lane and Ascham Road) bus stops in this area have been closed for public safety.

The closest northbound bus stop is the temporary Ascham Road  stop at St Laurence's church. The southbound Union Lane bus stop is in use at its permanent location outside house number 194. 

Union Lane is currently open to cyclists and pedestrians, but closed to vehicles.

The closure allows us to run a three-way light system rather than a four-way one, which reduces waiting time for vehicles on Milton and Arbury Road.

Due to the temporary traffic lights, there are increased traffic levels on Milton Road. Please allow additional time for your journey. Two members of the team are stationed at the Union Lane junction to help manage traffic flow and manually control the lights if needed.

Union Lane will be closed on the following dates:

• 8 January 2024 to 16 February 2024
• 26 February 2024 to 24 May 2024

From 17-25 February the Arbury Road / Union Lane / Milton Road junction will be placed on four-way lights to enable utility works further down Union Lane. Traffic management will be returning to three-way lights on 26 February. 

Downham’s Lane junction construction is continuing and kerbs are being installed.

The three-way lights will be removed in the next couple of days, but you may encounter some delays until mid February. We need to provide safe access for all highways users and thank you for your patience.