Get it right or resign call

PORTISHEAD'S Cabstand junction is still not operating satisfactorily, almost a year after its installation, district councillors officially acknowledged at a packed public meeting.Hundreds of residents, some carrying placards, flocked to the town's Somerset Hall at 3pm on Friday, to press for something to be done about the controversial traffic-light system.At the beginning of the two-hour meeting, five residents had their say, including David Jolley who co-ordinated a campaign which saw 5,000 people sign a petition, expressing their dismay about the Cabstand junction's operation. Mr Jolley said highways experts 'should be making plans to get the traffic system right, or resign', which was greeted by cheers of hear! hear!, and added: "The march (which was held to protest against the junction) sent a message - please take the lights away."In contrast to the overwhelming majority of opinions expressed, Cllr Mike Johnson said he felt the traffic system worked 'relatively well, certainly for pedestrian movements' and added that 'things can be done to improve it'.In response to his comments, a member of the public shouted: "You won't be a councillor for long."At the end of the meeting, members of the scrutiny panel recorded that they were 'satisfied that the scheme, as first installed, did not meet the expected standards and forecast predictions, and that the new junction is still not operating satisfactorily'.In addition, the panel asked North Somerset Council's executive member for strategic planning, Cllr John Crockford-Hawley, to continue to seek improvements, for example, by considering:1) Obstructions in the High Street (such as cars on double yellow lines).2) Repeaters on the pedestrian crossing signage (to make the green-man signs more easily visible).3) A feasibility study into two lanes at the High Street junction.4) Advanced stop lanes for cyclists.5) Banning right turns into Slade Road.