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Posted by: Andy Capp Mar 31 2013, 10:25 AM

Did people see the queue coming out of Parkway yesterday? It tailed from the Robin Hood all the way back to Parkway. I don't hold much hope for Aldi and others while that situation continues (and its been here since Parkway opened).

Posted by: Strafin Mar 31 2013, 01:02 PM

I could be wrong, but I think they have changed the traffic light sequence going on to the Robin Hood, it seems to take ages to change now.

Posted by: dannyboy Mar 31 2013, 01:07 PM

You mean PW has increased the amount of traffic in town? Surely not, I was under the impression it was a white elephant that had no increased footfall......

but rather than wait in the traffic, just go up past Waitrose. No queues onto the RH that way.

Posted by: JeffG Mar 31 2013, 01:09 PM

It's just possible that the Bank Holiday weekend had something to do with it.

But then you'd miss the fun of crashing into the queue-jumpers using the right-hand lane at the lights.

Posted by: Strafin Mar 31 2013, 01:30 PM

Don't tell everyone!

Posted by: Mariejader Mar 31 2013, 03:19 PM

It was the same last weekend, London Road going from Park Way was solid, and so was Shaw Road coming onto the roundabout, the roundabout itself was empty so I would also agree about the traffic light sequence being changed.

Posted by: mdd150407 Mar 31 2013, 04:57 PM

Similar area, different direction - heading into Newbury centre along London Road from the Robin Hood it was quite noticeable how much the traffic is now held up with a car trying to turn right into the new supermarket. Needs a filter lane, so a few less car parking spaces!

Posted by: Andy Capp Mar 31 2013, 05:57 PM

Back then we could go over the canal bridge if we wish, but now it is all funnelled to the north end.

The figures speak for themselves. Parkway has not improved footfall compared to the pre Parkway development. When Parkway opened, footfall soared, but levelled off to no better than pre development levels, suggesting there are more people willing to shop but have decided not to come back.


What if everyone thought that? The traffic signalling is rubbish and is a reason I would not want to go to that neck of the woods on a Saturday.

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 1 2013, 05:55 AM

Just ban a right turn and make them use the B&Q roundabout??

Posted by: JeffG Apr 1 2013, 08:41 AM

Wrong direction.

Posted by: John C Apr 1 2013, 10:47 AM

If the clock tower was still a roundabout the could heave banned the right turn from the Robin Hood and sent hem round that

Posted by: Strafin Apr 1 2013, 11:28 AM

There is still a roundabout next to the clock tower they could use.

Posted by: Exhausted Apr 1 2013, 11:36 AM

Are we talking about the same town. Neither of those roundabouts, as far as I can see, have any relevance to cars waiting to turn into Aldi.

Posted by: Strafin Apr 1 2013, 11:42 AM

If it was no right turn into Aldi, then cars could continue up to the clock tower, turn around and then drive back down the London Road and turn left into the car park. The B&Q roundabout comment I think has either been misunderstood or was an error.

Posted by: John C Apr 1 2013, 12:19 PM

But its only a mini roundabout now and some people would find it difficult to do a 180 there

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 1 2013, 12:21 PM

Then join the bloody great queue the OP was on about!

Posted by: blackdog Apr 1 2013, 01:39 PM

And they would have to go round a larger roundabout at the end of Park Way in order to get to the Clock Tower - why not turn round there?

Posted by: motormad Apr 1 2013, 03:50 PM

Doing a 180 on a mini roundabout is illegal and often impossible without having to stop and reverse.. which makes it dangerous.

Posted by: user23 Apr 1 2013, 04:07 PM

Pretty sure it's not illegal, where did you read this?

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 1 2013, 04:48 PM

It is not illegal, it is an urban myth, but Who gives a sheet, the queue is still there!!!!

Posted by: Strafin Apr 1 2013, 06:04 PM

The point was that people turning right cause a queue behind them, by going round the clock tower and back down, they would still be in a queue, but not causing one. The Parway roundabout is too small to do 180 easily and too busy. The clock tower roundabout is bigger.

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 1 2013, 06:14 PM

The problem stems from the crap signalling at the Robin Hood roundabout, surely? Imagine what the problem would be like if Parkway had actually improved footfall (and therefore car movements) in Newbury! One of the reasons we have this bottle neck is, in my view, because rather than solve the problem, the powers that be have simply moved the problem from the canal bridge to the Robin Hood giratory.

Posted by: JeffG Apr 1 2013, 06:24 PM

Which begs the question: what has been gained by closing the canal bridge to ordinary traffic?

I believe there are regular reviews of traffic light timings, so it is to be hoped that there will be adjustments.

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 1 2013, 06:27 PM

That's not 'begging the question'.

Posted by: JeffG Apr 1 2013, 06:53 PM

How does "moving the problem from the canal bridge" not imply it's as a result of its closure?

Posted by: Berkshirelad Apr 1 2013, 08:03 PM

Begging the question means that a question is not necessary.

It means that a statement is a logical fallacy.

IOW, a statement that requires a proof 'begs the question' that the proof were not offered.

It does not mean 'raising the question'.

Posted by: gel Apr 1 2013, 08:14 PM

Recall that for some reason these lights are managed by Hants Cty Council; perhaps they have an interest
in clogging Newbury, so shoppers are inclined to go to Basingstoke.

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 1 2013, 09:11 PM

It does, but 'begging the question' is a misused statement. Just being customarily pedantic.

Posted by: motormad Apr 1 2013, 11:56 PM

Sort of like straw man fallacies.

Posted by: blackdog Apr 2 2013, 12:17 AM

It has removed the congestion from the Wharf, no more queuing for 15-20 minutes to get from the library car park to Bear Lane.

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 2 2013, 12:24 AM

But now we have one outside Aldi. Hopefully for the people that drive round that area, they might be able to get something done about it.

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 2 2013, 05:10 AM

Eh?

Posted by: JeffG Apr 2 2013, 07:51 AM

The B&Q roundabout is going towards Thatcham, which is the opposite direction to that which we are talking about, i. e. towards the town centre.

Posted by: JeffG Apr 2 2013, 08:32 AM

In which case I have been using it incorrectly all my life. However, according to http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/mind-your-language/2010/may/24/begging-the-question-mind-your-language, it seems I am in good company (or even the majority!).

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 2 2013, 09:55 AM

Quite, but now you know.

Posted by: JeffG Apr 2 2013, 12:19 PM

I shall be forever in your debt.

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 2 2013, 02:50 PM

No offence intended; just playing. I am guilty of using the phrase wrongly myself (it sounds agreeable), but I also use the word 'ironically' too much, and wrongly, as well.

Posted by: Exhausted Apr 2 2013, 04:41 PM

I believe that, the A339 and the A4 are the responsibility of the local authority in which they sit. So, it becomes Basingstoke and Deane down by the Swan at Newtown.
I don't think there is such a thing as Hants City Council.
The Highways Agency however take responsibility for the A34.

Posted by: blackdog Apr 2 2013, 04:52 PM

There isn't - which is probably why gel typed Hants Cty Council (in this case Cty = County).

Posted by: gel Apr 2 2013, 05:11 PM

My reference was to the County Council as we used to have once at Shire Hall.

Posted by: Exhausted Apr 2 2013, 05:20 PM

My mistake then, thought you had mis typed. OK taken as read, so is it Basingstoke and Deane or Hampshire County Council look after that bit of road.

If Hampshire have a county council, why not Berkshire.

Posted by: On the edge Apr 2 2013, 05:47 PM

Having a unitary authority is so much more effective and efficient. You don't have the additional Councillors the traditional model imposes for a start. Now we have that it would be madness to start up several small councils with staff and offices as well. That would just be waste.

Posted by: JeffG Apr 2 2013, 07:27 PM

None taken. I was being ironic (maybe).

Posted by: nerc Apr 2 2013, 07:48 PM

Wherever did you get this from? It is not illegal at all.

Posted by: motormad Apr 2 2013, 10:51 PM

Thus if one is unable to pass around the central markings it would be in breach of the law - And a Poojoe three double oh eight cannot get around without causing other road users to have to stop because he's an idiot and can't be arsed to drive another 800 yards up the road to a proper roundabout.

I would assume that if you can get your car round a mini-roundabout whilst

1) Stay within your lane,
2) Not Reversing
3) Not causing a hazard or danger to other Road users (OR pedestrians)

Then you are driving within the rules of the road. However if you can't do that, then you are driving outside of the rules of the road and thus doing a 180 at a mini roundabout is illegal.
I, for example, cannot get around the mini roundabout by Craven Road in Newbury, so I have not even ever tried. Unlike said Poojoe driver

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 2 2013, 11:00 PM

Best just admit a fail on this!

Posted by: motormad Apr 3 2013, 08:14 AM

I've made a statement and provided relevant evidence to back it up. Which is more than cab be said for half the people on this forum most of the time.

Posted by: Squelchy Apr 3 2013, 08:17 AM

If you've actually ever bothered to read the Highway Code you'd know that it says in the introduction:

"Many of the rules in The Highway Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence."

Got that? Many of these rules. i.e. not all of them. Just because something appears in the Code does not automatically mean you break the law if you don't follow the advice given.

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 3 2013, 09:20 AM

As painful as it can be sometimes, and we are all do it from time to time, but I think it is best just to admit when one is mistaken. You know what you meant, and we know what you meant!

Posted by: motormad Apr 3 2013, 01:01 PM

Then there we go, everyone is a winner.

Posted by: Exhausted Apr 3 2013, 05:24 PM

Except perhaps you in this instance.

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 5 2013, 09:03 AM

Read the post again!!

"Similar area, different direction - heading into Newbury centre along London Road from the Robin Hood it was quite noticeable how much the traffic is now held up with a car trying to turn right into the new supermarket. Needs a filter lane, so a few less car parking spaces!"

The poster WAS travelling in the direction towards the town but was commenting on traffic coming the other way TURNING RIGHT into the supermarket??

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 5 2013, 09:18 AM

But JeffG was originaly replying to this:

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 5 2013, 09:27 AM

Correct - And??

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 5 2013, 09:28 AM

Nice to see Newbury's planning process working, eh?

Posted by: Andy Capp Apr 5 2013, 09:30 AM

How does going to the B&Q roundabout help in people turning right into Aldi? Are you thinking of Lidl?

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 5 2013, 09:38 AM

OK, Complete misunderstanding, wrong supermarket. I am talking b*****ks.
Sorry!