The current traffic light chaos on Kemplay Roundabout set to continue through peak summer period after the lights control system was damaged on the 25th May during an incident occurred on Kemplay Bank roundabout. As a result of a road traffic collision the main control units for the southern quarter of the roundabout traffic lights was irreparably damaged.
The damage following the collision has made the traffic signals on the southern section of the roundabout inoperable and has also disabled the fire service’s emergency access onto the roundabout.
A National Highways spokesperson has said “All drivers using the roundabout should be vigilant, and be aware of the possibility of emergency vehicles requiring priority leaving the station.”
The road traffic collision damage has also affected pedestrian crossing points resulting in closure of some footways around Kemplay Roundabout.
National Highways said “we’ve installed a diversion around the north side of the roundabout so that pedestrians can use a safe signal controlled crossing point. The area has been made safe, and our contractors are investigating the full extent of the damage. The control units which will need to be replaced are bespoke units manufactured on an individual basis. Therefore, it could take some time to get the traffic signals operational again. We can’t give a specific timeframe, but we’d hope to complete the repair within 4-8 weeks.”
“We appreciate the publics patience whilst we work to get Kemplay Bank fully functional and operating as per design again. Our electrical engineers are considering if changes should be made to the remaining traffic signals at Kemplay Bank to maintain traffic flows.”
The partial lights have caused some confusion among motorists in recent weeks along with some delays as the remaining operational lights cause tailbacks as traffic flows onto the roundabout out of sequence with the operational lights.
Some local residents have said “the Kemplay roundabout lights should be turned off and let the roundabout work as a roundabout.”
Kemplay Roundabout is set to see major works commence in early 2024 as part of the A66 upgrade with the roundabout set to be replaced with an underpass carrying the A66 and two bridges running North South to carry the A6 between Eamont Bridge and Penrith.
The construction work is expected to last 18months on the Kemplay roundabout underpass construction. As part of the underpass construction the woodland area that has formed the center of the Kemplay roundabout will be lost as the underpass is constructed with the new roundabout set to be a close copy of junction 40 roundabout on completion. The traffic lights currently causing issues are set to remain when the upgrade is completed as part of the A66 upgrade plans due for government inspector approval in the next few weeks.
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