Mixed reaction after completion of controversial Cyclops junction

Replacing the roundabout by the Bull and Dog pub on Marshalls Cross Road, the CYCLOPS junction has been designed to boost safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and road users, as the roundabout previously had no safe crossing facilities.

The junction is part of a £15m investment around the 'St Helens Southern Gateway', between St Helens Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, and Northern Rail, aiming to make sustainable travel an easier choice for commuters who use Lea Green Railway Station.

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Growing frustration after roadworks and delays

Lengthy roadworks frustrated residents (Image: St Helens Council)
With engineering works underway since last November, the CYCLOPS junction didn't get off to a great start in St Helens as residents grew frustrated at the lengthy roadworks and traffic disruption.

As partial road closures were frequent during the works, this also caused particular damage to neighbouring businesses, including the Bull and Dog pub.

However, despite the delays in construction, the CYCLOPS junction was finally unveiled earlier this month, with the finishing touches completed on Monday, September 11.

How to use the CYCLOPS junction

The junction is designed to segregate motorists from cyclists and pedestrians (Image: Steve Samosa)
Designed to segregate motorists from pedestrians and cyclists and prevent the risk of collision, the outer green ring is a cycle path, acting like a roundabout with signal-controlled crossings, and allowing cyclists to cross the junction or make right turns unrestricted by cars or foot traffic.

The inner red 'ring' of the junction is dedicated to pedestrians, with those walking and cycling getting the same green light signal in all directions at the same time, but on a separate ring of paths in the middle of the junction.

There are well-defined zebra crossings on each side of the junction to provide a safe place to cross the cycle lane for pedestrians. All motorised traffic stops at the lights whilst cyclists and pedestrians have their green light signal.

Once pedestrians and cyclists have passed, motorised traffic will get the green light signal to continue driving and use the junction like normal.

'Fairly straightforward' to 'horrendous': Mixed reaction from residents

Some residents have called the junction fairly straightforward (Image: Steve Samosa)
As motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians get to grips with the new transport mechanism, there has been a mixed reaction from local residents across social media.

In a reader letter to the Star, one road user called the new junction "fairly straightforward to navigate" and left them wondering "why so many people have been moaning".

Another road user, Andy Troy, took to Facebook to say he believes that CYCLOPS is "brilliant" after using the junction a number of times.

Similarly, John Cavadino said he thinks CYCLOPS is a "great junction" and a "lot better than the roundabout".

Steve Myers also said: "It's fine, it's just a traffic light controlled crossroads with segregation for pedestrians and cyclists, very simple to use like any other traffic-lit junction."

Stephen Smith wrote: "It seems fine and much safer for the kids crossing the road to school."

Lynne Phelan, a cyclist who said she uses the cycle lanes around the junction, said that she has found the new lanes "safer and easier" than around the previous roundabout.

Some have expressed disapproval with the new junction (Image: Steve Samosa)
While there has been some positive feedback, many have expressed their disapproval of the junction and their frustration about the traffic that has been caused.

Ian Bonney said: "How has this improved anything ? Who’s benefited from it? Seems to have stopped the natural flow of traffic, causing congestion, some confusion, and the increased possibility of a collision."

Julie Fisher commented: "[It's an] accident waiting to happen [with] queues of traffic which were not there before. [It's] awkward for lorries turning into Mill Lane [and] awkward turning into the Bull and Dog carpark as traffic blocking the entrance.

"[I've] used it a few times now [and have] never seen a bike use the lanes specified. The one time I have, they rode down the path instead of crossing the junction. [I think it's a] total waste of money fixing something that wasn't broken should have spent the money elsewhere.

Alan Appleton said: "Complete waste of taxpayers money, nothing wrong with the roundabout as it was."

Debbie Langley wrote: "This morning I seen so many people not even using the crossings... just legging it across the lanes etc. It's scary to see."

Christine Timothy said: "The locals will have time to study the layout, [but] what about people passing through or visiting the area. This is most ludicrous thing I’ve ever seen."

Julie Mills said: "I drive through this a few times a day and the only problem I've found is the few bikes I have seen us[ing] the car lane and not the green bike lane."

Phil Cunningham said: "I live backing on to Mill Lane and have never in over 40 years seen this amount of traffic backing up past the primary school. I witnessed two huge HGV wagons trying to pass each other and one had to drive all wheels on the path outside Sherdley primary school - so scary."

Sara Johnson said: "It is horrendous. The roundabout was absolutely fine. Why change something to make it 100 times worse?"