Salford City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) decided to build on the improvements achieved during the trial and install a signalised pedestrian crossing where the temporary signals were located, on both sides of Worsley Brow. This new crossing opened in September 2024 offering the same benefits as the trial signals in terms of enhancing the roundabout's overall balance, as well as introducing modern and safe crossing facilities for pedestrians.
We have put together a list of some of the common questions or concerns motorists may have whilst the permanent signals are becoming established in the local road network.
Why have the traffic signals been introduced at J13?
In February 2023 Salford City Council introduced a trial of temporary signals on Worsley Brow in an effort to better balance the flows of traffic at the Court House roundabout and to improve safety by giving all approaches an equal chance to join it.
The data collected during the trial showed that traffic flow at the roundabout became fairer and more balanced. We also saw significant improvement to bus journey times on Worsley Road and Barton Road. After thorough consideration, a decision was made to remove the temporary signals and install a new permanent pedestrian crossing.
Similarly to the trial, the traffic signals have been introduced to help manage traffic flows on the southern roundabout (Court House Roundabout) at J13, including helping buses travelling through the junction.
The signals have also introduced new, safe pedestrian crossing facilities to help people navigate this busy junction more easily on foot and encourage pedestrian trips.
How do the signals operate?
The signals are monitored and operated by Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) Urban Traffic Control unit. They are designed to assist with rebalancing traffic movement through the roundabout. The signals, in addition to providing safe pedestrian facilities, also help control traffic flow with independent queue sensors installed on Worsley Road and Barton Road. This means that when queues are detected on Worsley Road and/or Barton Road, the signals for traffic on Worsley Brow turn red, thus creating an opportunity for drivers on those roads to safely join the roundabout.
The timings of the signals change by time of day to reflect the different traffic conditions.
The signals can also be called by pedestrians pressing the button to cross the road.
Urban Traffic Control (UTC) monitor and have control of the signals and are able to make real-time adjustments remotely. The adjustments are made based on regular analysis of traffic movements over a period of time, if any unusual patterns are observed.
Why is traffic congestion so bad on the Leigh Road/ Walkden Road approach to J13?
The M60 is one of the busiest motorways in the country outside of London and demand for travel means that the impacts for traffic wanting to access the motorway are particularly severe on the local roads approaching this location. National Highways are looking at the potential for long-term solutions to improve this part of the motorway network but details of these improvements, funding and timescales have yet to be confirmed.
What’s being done to improve traffic flows in the area?
Salford City Council and TfGM are aware that this site is causing understandable frustration to the residents and commuters.
At the start of January 2025, once traffic returned to more usual levels after the Christmas period, UTC carried out an analysis of journey times on all approaches to the roundabout. They found Walkden Road journey times during the morning peak were experiencing more delays than the other approaches.
Consequently, on 17 January and 24 January UTC made a further adjustment to the signals, giving Worsley Brow more green time during the morning peak, in an effort to make the traffic flow more balanced. The signals and traffic movements through the wider area are being constantly monitored and further adjustments will be made, if required.
How are the journey times monitored?
UTC will be undertaking further recording of the journey times of the affected roads as traffic returns to normal after the Christmas period. Please be assured that senior team members at Transport for Greater Manchester and Salford City Council are aware of the high priority of this site due to the significant impacts on residents and commuters and are working to help ensure that the signals are operating as efficiently and fairly as possible.
The analysis will compare the journey times prior to the installation of the original trial and the temporary signals. It is worth remembering that there were significant queues in the area before the signals were installed.
The monitoring covers the following:
- A572 Worsley Road - from Clovelly Road to Worsley Brow
- A575 Walkden Road - from A580 to Worsley Brow
- A572 Leigh Road - from west of Occupation Road to Worsley Brow
- B5211 Barton Road - from M602 to Worsley Brow
- Motorway slips (from M60 to Court House roundabout)
Why are the permanent traffic signals causing more delays than the temporary signals?
When the permanent traffic signals were initially installed, a there were problems with the programming of the signals these were corrected in the late autumn and the signals continue to be monitored to ensure they are operating as efficiently as possible.
The arrangement with the traffic signals is innovative and is new to Greater Manchester and as such required a brand-new approach to programming the traffic signals.
Why are there still significant delays on Leigh Road and Walkden Road even after the traffic signals have been adjusted?
This approach to J13 has always historically been busy and traffic levels have now increased above pre-pandemic levels, particularly in the busy pre-Christmas period. Generally, traffic volumes are now above levels seen before the pandemic resulting in additional congestion at peak times irrespective of the operation of the traffic signals.
During the morning peak period there are queues back from the M60 which means that traffic from the roundabout cannot proceed. This occurred before the permanent signals were installed at Worsley Brow.
Are there plans to signalise all of the approaches at the Court House Roundabout?
The Court House roundabout is a very busy junction on the border of the Worsley and Westwood Park and Boothstown and Ellenbrook wards, connecting them with each other as well as the motorway network. This strategic placement means that Salford City Council needs to have a balanced approach to meeting the needs of all road users.
During the improvement options development stage, a wider full signalisation of both roundabouts was considered using industry standard traffic modelling software. This option resulted in even higher levels of congestion and longer journey times than the current arrangement and so it was discounted on that basis. Given this, further signalisation isn't proposed at this time.
Unfortunately, there is no easy fix at this location with the current traffic demand and the crossing which has been installed on Worsley Brow represents the best upgrade currently available.