I was however, expecting it.

The council has totally ignored what the people of the town want.

Two main reasons, that I don’t believe many people would know. Firstly, mine trucks. The trucks carrying those huge mine truck bodies and trays find it much easier to go straight through traffic lights, than to negotiate a roundabout. Secondly, money. The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) pays for the installation of traffic lights. The council has to pay for roundabouts.

Of course the first reason really comes down to money, as well, the Government is riding on coal mine money.

Fact: People will cross the street as, where and when they want to, regardless of infrastructure.

Does anyone remember how the median strip looked when it was first put in? How council workers had to subsequently cut extra openings to allow pedestrian access, because they just would not walk out of their way to get to a crossing point?

Have you seen the number of paths through the supposed garden, again because they simple won’t go out of their way to cross?

People also now have a marked tendency to blame someone else – namely council, and they will sue if they don’t watch where they are putting their feet.

Fact: Roundabouts facilitate traffic flow, traffic lights interrupt it.

The major problem with roundabouts is the drivers who won’t or seemingly can’t learn how to use them properly.

Fact: There is going to be absolute chaos during the time this work is being done.

This is totally unnecessary.

The rail crossing is due to be closed shortly, so hat work can be done – the problems that will cause will be only a fraction of what will result when they begin ripping up the roundabout.

Interesting that the council’s final decision was made before the work on the rail crossing has taken place.

Fact: there are more accidents at traffic lights than at roundabouts and they are much more serious.