I WAS interested to read the article (Daily Echo, April, 25) regarding improvements to ease traffic flow and reduce congestion at the M27/M271 junction.
While I agree that this work will no doubt improve the situation at this junction, I am concerned that it will simply move the congestion and tailbacks to the end of the M271 at the Redbridge roundabout.
The Redbridge roundabout is recognised as a major cause of traffic congestion during peak periods and the Millbrook Road/ Redbridge Road area suffers from high pollution levels as a result.
Drivers will recall that when the M3 cutting replaced the notorious Hockley traffic lightcontrolled junction it just created another problem at the M3/M27 junction at Eastleigh.
The subsequent completion of the Newbury Bypass simply moved the traffic tailback to the A34/M3 junction at Winchester.
The Southampton City Council Air Quality Action Plan progress report in June 2010 stated that research would be carried out through intelligent use of traffic lights to move congestion caused by standing traffic to less populated areas. It would seem that M27/M271 changes will do nothing to improve the situation and makes one question the council decision to close the Redbridge Air Quality Monitoring Station.
One wonders how the existing road system will cope now that the new deep water berths 201/202 in the docks are beginning operation.
Future developments such as the Oxbow sulphur plant, Millbrook waste water treatment plant upgrade and the Adanac Park development will no doubt add to the HGV traffic and pollution in the area.
Unfortunately unless major infrastructure investment is made to create a direct access from the M271 into the docks I can see that the congestion will become a major limiting factor that will affect not only the docks but also commercial activities throughout the city.
The growth of Internet shopping, the lack of park and ride facilities and high parking charges added to heavy traffic congestion make out-of-town shopping centres a much more attractive proposition, and unless improvements are made, I am concerned that Southampton will become the city to avoid in future.
Chris Hinds of Regents Park, Southampton
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