CUMBERLAND Council said it will investigate how vehicle and pedestrian traffic can be improved after concerns were raised about traffic lights sequencing in Carlisle City Centre. 

Independent Cumberland councillor Robert Betton, a representative for Botcherby, said  traffic lights along Warwick Road in Carlisle cause gridlock.

He claims traffic lights are not sequencing properly by the junction of Montgomery Way, coming out of Rosehill Industrial Estate, and onto Warwick Road by Tesco.

There is often not enough time for cars to join the main traffic due to the very short time that the lights remain green.

Residents have contacted him to complain about the crossing there, with particular concern for people who use wheelchairs and who are pushing prams, as navigating the junction can prove more difficult than other crossings in the city.

Junctions he named are Victoria Place, Victoria Road, and Greystone Road, the last of which experience high amounts of congestion during the construction of the recent Lidl supermarket on Warwick Road.

“My main concern is safety." said Cllr Betton

“I have brought this issue up to the council before, and the crossing from Rosehill to Tesco is used by pedestrians a lot.”

He said it is often very busy throughout the day there, and that makes crossing the four-way intersection difficult if there is not enough time to do so safely.

Warwick Road is one of Carlisle’s main roads, and connect most of eastern Carlisle, as well as the whole city to the M6 motorway for connections to Scotland and southern England.

It has two supermarkets on it – Tesco and Lidl – popular pubs such as The Beehive and Lakeland Gate, and a Toby Carvery, all of which including the road are even more busy during match days as Carlisle United’s home ground – Brunton Park – is also on that road.

A spokesperson for Cumberland Council said: “We will take these comments into consideration and investigate the matter further.

“We will ascertain if there are any issues with traffic flow, and crossing access, and whether any improvements can be made.”