REMOVING traffic lights, introducing box junctions and moving pedestrian crossings have been touted as ways to reduce bottlenecks at one of Southend’s most notorious roundabouts.

St Laurence ward councillors Daniel Cowan and Lydia Hyde have put forward a motion calling for a major overhaul of Cuckoo Corner in Southend.

The roundabout - where Victoria Avenue meets the A127 and Priory Crescent - is frequently gridlocked at peak times, adding to high pollution levels recorded there.

The motion, which will be considered at full council on Thursday, said: “Traffic congestion is a major issue in our city, exacerbated by many bottlenecks and areas of high traffic pressure. The Cuckoo Corner roundabout is one such area with regular traffic jams tailing back in multiple directions having a knock-on effect to traffic congestion across the city.

“This junction is a vital gateway to the east of the city for buses and motorists. When clogged, tailbacks can reach the city centre, Kent Elms corner, Sutton Road roundabout, and beyond Warner’s Bridge into Rochford. Natural traffic flow is impeded by an unsuitable layout that includes partial traffic signalling at the roundabout, traffic-controlled pedestrian crossings too close to the junction, and merges in-turn that are too short.”

They pair have asked that the council consider the layout of the roundabout including removing traffic lights, introducing box junctions and moving pedestrian crossings.

Mr Cowan said: “What we are looking for is for council officers in conjunction with stakeholders and members to look at various options to try and improve the situation round there. Cycling groups have told us that they don’t feel safe and they will actively avoid it so we know that’s a concern.

“We also know that there are general issues with the volume of traffic around there and the frequency of traffic jams which we believe is caused by the layout.”

Mr Cowan added: “There are lots of different problems. On the roundabout itself there are no box junctions which means it gets clogged up and traffic can’t move freely. We also have issues with the exits which don’t all have traffic control signals. There are on some exits but not on others.

“At the bottom of Manners Way we don’t have any lights but as you enter the roundabout there are signals. Because you have a mixed use good practise shows you should either have no signals so it functions as a roundabout or if it’s going to be a traffic signal roundabout it should have traffic signals on all the entrances and exits.

“Some of the pedestrian crossings are incredibly close. All it takes is a couple of vehicles and suddenly you’ve used up all the space. Those are some of things we think need to be looked at.”