Ever tried using a bridge in a wheelchair or with a pushchair? Underpasses need huge amounts of land to meet maximum gradient requirements, they are also not the safest of places and pedestrians avoid them.

Roundabouts are safer than traffic light junctions, handle more traffic per lights cycle and are safer as the most dangerous manouver at traffic lights, turning right across traffic, is eliminated.

Just using pelicans doesn't take into account managing traffic flows from different directions.

The problem is that many of these roundabouts with traffic lights are poorly implemented - with little R&D and systems analysis beforehand to see what is needed and possible. Many of them do not include pedestrian / cycle crossings - which I advocated - where other means aren't feasible.

It also doesn't help that the overall town planning and road management system is very poor, adding to the already poor decisions made at national level that significantly contribute to the issues around traffic levels, safety and security for cyclists, general pedestrians and the disabled.

I would also note that keeping such people well away from traffic also can help with their health via not breathing in traffic pollution, plus their chances in being hit by a vehicle is zero. Vehicles don't always stop for traffic lights or in time, and pedestrians and others using the crossings don't always obey the signals either, whether because they are in a hurry or just not paying attention (e.g. on the phone, attending to screaming kids, etc).

Some of those possible solutions can work if done correctly for the area. It should not be a 'black and white' approach. Unfortunately many councils cannot afford to keep spending money to remedy problems, but then many appear to spend vast amounts to start with on poorly-thought-out schemes.

It would help if those in charge and responsible for designs AND decisions being made were a bit more open about decision making and owned up to mistakes and took proper measures to correct them, not just throwing more good money after bad as so often happens.

Was easy at Brighton hill, there were underpasses which kept pedestrians and vehicles apart. The underpasses have now gone.

Last year one was saved here in Colchester. Just next to it is a light controlled pedestrian crossing anyway Lights ignored by pedestrians anyway.

www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/23297557.colchester-cr.../

But another one is going soon at St botolphs circus the other side of town...

Sounds similar to the nutty plans of my area's district council. They had a 'consultation', including an 'expert' (who was in his position for a matter of weeks and had previously worked for an activist lobby group) who professed at the public meeting to not knowing the area at all.

No wonder the 'plans' were 90% utter r****** - creating more traffic problems, safety issues (including diverting traffic towards a primary school) and no real benefit to pedestrians and cyclists.

I and many others pointed out the big mistakes both at the meeting an on the online consultation map-based review, and yet the council decided to ahead anyway. This at a time when they don't have the money to cover existing financial commitments.

You also have to wonder at what our 'government' ministers are doing, given part of the 'plans' are going for central funding, similarly when taxpayer funds are already stretched too thin and the people cannot afford to be taxed more.