Milton Road update: September 2024

We’d like to thank everyone for their patience as we have been carrying out the latest overnight works.

We’ll shortly complete the last of our carriageway surfacing which means all of Milton Road and the associated side roads on the project will have been surfaced. This means that pedestrians and cyclists can cross safely at junctions using smooth and even paths.

Please note the poor weather conditions have affected our ability to proceed with the planned night works as surfacing cannot be carried out in heavy rain. We are continuing to review the situation and will carry out what works we can weather permitting. Please be advised works will now continue on further into this week than originally planned as a result of this delay.  

This month, the King’s Hedges junction became fully operational as we switched the traffic lights on. 

Since the junction was commissioned on Thursday 5 September, some additional arrows have been painted on both the northbound and southbound approaches on Milton Road. Tarmac has now been laid on the small section of footway outside the Golden Hind pub too. 

All four quadrants on the junction are now fully open and the landscaping is finished. The addition of these trees and wildflowers is brightening up the area beautifully as we approach early autumn. 

We’ll need to revisit this area to take a look at a few areas that need some final adjustments before completing works.

This month, we also held an event to formally mark the opening of the junction.

Alongside local councillors and stakeholders, we cut a ribbon to celebrate this significant milestone. We’d like to thank councillors and residents for their input and support since the project started. 

Lovell Road’s permanent traffic lights have now been switched on and are operational.

These crossings are continuous paths, so pedestrians and cyclists have priority at these crossings when they’re travelling along Milton Road.

As they give users priority, they provide an uninterrupted route for quicker, easier and safer journeys. 

Copenhagen crossings also act as a sign to motorists that they’re entering a major or minor road, encouraging drivers to be aware of different surroundings. This ensures a safer experience for residents of Milton Road, neighbouring streets and all users who choose to walk, cycle, wheel or scooter around.

In addition, they help to remind everyone of the recent changes to the Highway Code, that pedestrians and cyclists, where appropriate, have priority when crossing side road junctions. 

Number of Copenhagen crossings on Milton Road: 14 
Locations: At almost every junction on the road.

With a line dividing a walkway for pedestrians and a separate path for bicycle riders, these segregated lanes make sure that anyone walking into town to see friends, carrying shopping back to their home, or going for a stroll on a sunny day with relatives can feel comfortable and safe. 

Equally, cyclists commuting to work, children learning how to ride a bike, and those choosing to travel around for health and environmental benefits can feel reassured with journeys on smooth, even ground, away from motorised traffic. 

Cyclists can travel safely knowing that when they use a designated cyclist crossing, they don’t need to push the button for the traffic signals to know they’re waiting. Sensors underneath the crossing can detect when a cyclist is there, so staying safe is easier for cyclists using the road. 

Locations: All along both sides of Milton Road, meaning you can get from the science park to Mitcham’s Corner with dedicated cycle facilities.

At the corners of some junctions, there are wildflowers and trees planted in what’s called a rain garden.

These are designed to manage runoff rainwater from hard surfaces, so the excess water doesn’t gather or collect on the road. The water then drains downwards naturally, and into the rain garden’s drain at its centre, whilst watering all the plants and helping them to thrive.

Number on Milton Road: 4
Locations: Both sides of Woodhead junction, King’s Hedges junction (at both the north east and south west quadrants).

We’ve added new flowers and different types of trees to the roundabout.

Aside from brightening up the area as an attractive place to live, walk, cycle or drive it also enhances biodiversity and helps support vegetation growth. 

The roundabout itself and the surrounding layout has also changed slightly to accompany different users of Milton Road to ensure everyone can move freely and securely in buses, cars, on bicycles, wheels or on foot. The new layout features dedicated crossing facilities for those walking and cycling, ensuring people can safely cross the road, even during the busiest times.

These features will mean parents, children and commuters can have the confidence to cycle along Milton Road, whether they are heading to the shops, school or work. 

Location: Highworth Avenue / Elizabeth Way 

First image: Google Earth 2022.

For cyclists and pedestrians, the dedicated foot and cycle paths don’t stop at a four-quadrant junction.

A CYCLOPS junction – which stands for cycle optimised protected signals – allows for cyclists and pedestrians to cross at the same time, whilst being separated from cars. You can cross with confidence when the green man or green bicycle lights up.

If you’d like to learn more about using a CYCLOPS junction, we’ve created an informative video. 

Location: King’s Hedges  

This month, Woodhead Drive saw huge improvements. 

The kerbing has been installed, the block paving has been laid and carriageway surfacing will shortly take place. 

The rain garden, as well as works to the drains and streetlights, will be completed this week.  

Finally, we’re constructing and surfacing the footway on the south side of the junction and expect this to be finished in the first week of October.

As this is where our construction compound is based, this area will be one of the last sections to be finished, and there will be a handful of works left to finalise after resurfacing the area.