Summary
- Where: Thornhill Park Road junction with Hinkler Road
- When: COMPLETED
- What: Improvements to traffic signals and new crossing facilities for people walking and cycling across the junction
- Why: To reduce congestion at this location as well as the M27 junction 7, and to improve journey times
- How: This £360,000 scheme is funded by Highways England
Latest news
This scheme is now complete.
Project details
We are improving the Thornhill Park Road / Hinkler Road junction by upgrading to smart traffic signal technology and adjusting the junction design to improve pedestrian and cyclist access. The improvements are part of a wider project by Highways England to reduce the peak time congestion that impacts the A27 and M27 junction 7. It comes after Highways England successfully upgraded the traffic signals at junction 7 earlier this year and will complement other improvements being delivered as part of the ongoing M27 SMART Motorway project.
Please read our FAQs for more information.
To undertake this work, the A334 Thornhill Park Road will be narrowed to one lane under temporary traffic lights and Hinkler Road will be closed at this junction for the duration to establish a site compound. In addition, Browning Avenue will be closed at the junction with Hinkler Road to avoid diverted traffic using this route.
The works are being carried out in three phases from Monday 19 October 2020. We will also need to return in early 2021, to apply an anti-skid surface on the approaches to the junction.
Phase 1: Thornhill Park Road/Hinkler Road/Kootenay Avenue - Monday 19 October for 4 weeks
We will cut power to the existing signals and remove the cabling, poles and lights before installing their replacements. Work will be on the north side of the junction in this phase, where we are also widening Kootenay Avenue footpath and installing bollards to prevent vehicle access. During this phase, Kootenay Avenue footpath will be closed at the junction with Thornhill Park Road.
Phase 2: Thornhill Park Road/Hinkler Road – 16 November for 3 weeks
We will continue to upgrade the traffic signals, switching to the south side (Hinkler Road side), and install new Toucan crossings on the junction.
Phase 3: Thornhill Park Road/Hinkler Road - 8 December for 1 week overnight
In this final phase, we will resurface and reline the junction. To do this, the whole junction will be closed overnight on weekdays, between 8pm - 6am. A signed diversion route will be in place during these overnight closures.
We will review the traffic management and traffic flows throughout the duration of the works and we may put in place additional measures if necessary. We are temporarily suspending parking on Thornhill Avenue as it is expected to be used by more local traffic. However, if this route and/or any other affected roads become unsafe due to the volume of traffic and driver behaviour, we may review access arrangements.