Finishing line in sight for new ‘Cressex Island’ junction work

Transport
A computer generated image of the finished Crest Road junction improvement scheme.

The much-needed junction improvement work at Crest Road in High Wycombe is set to be completed on-time in September say Buckinghamshire Council.

Construction of the new, intelligent traffic signal layout, which started in January, will help unlock additional commercial and retail development on the adjacent ‘Cressex Island’, boosting the local economy and creating more jobs. The scheme will also see the current failed road surface fully reconstructed and resurfaced.

However, the Council says that in order to complete the final stages, two periods of road closures along part of the A4010, John Hall Way, will be needed to finish the new surfacing and lining work. The details of the necessary closures, timed to take place during the quieter school holiday period, are:

  • A full-time closure from 8.00am on Monday 26 July to 8.00pm on Friday 30 July
  • 12-hour closures (8.00am to 8.00pm) on Monday 2 August to Wednesday 4 August. Road reopens each night from 8.00pm to 8.00am.

The section of John Hall Way affected by the closures runs from the Holmers Farm Way/Cressex Link roundabout to just before Lansdowne Way. Both the roundabout and the Lansdowne Way junction will remain open. Traffic heading for the Holiday Inn or other local shops and businesses during the closure periods will be directed along Holmers Farm Way and then into Crest Road from the other direction.

Over the intervening weekend, the road will be open to all traffic from 8.00pm on Friday to 8.00am on Monday morning to minimise inconvenience to local residents and businesses. While the closures are in operation, the official diversion route will be fully signposted via Handy Cross roundabout, the A404 into the town centre and then along the A40 to Chapel Lane.

Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport, Steve Broadbent said this would be just a little short term pain for much longer term gain. “No one likes road closures and diversions, but we do need both periods to lay the brand new road surface and complete the scheme.

“We apologise in advance for any inconvenience but we’ve planned things carefully and hopefully there will be reduced disruption with it being the school holidays and the fact that the road will be open as normal over the weekend. For the second set of closures, the road will reopen each night which should also help.”

Steve added: “When completed, not only will the new junction layout improve access to the Cressex Island area, but it will also mean a fully reconstructed road replacing the current worn out section. That’s good news for everyone and represents a great investment for the town.”

As part of the scheme, a brand new 600 metre shared use footway and cycleway will also be completed from Handy Cross to Holmers Farm Way roundabout linking two existing cycle routes, together with new toucan crossings incorporated into the junction layout for both pedestrians and cyclists.

Following the closures, the traffic signals will be set up during August with full completion of the scheme expected in September.

To keep up-to-date and check diversion routes during the road closures, please visit the Crest Road scheme webpage.