HIGHWAY chiefs are to make a fact finding visit to Portishead's traffic clogged Cabstand junction - to look at ways to improve it

HIGHWAY chiefs are to make a fact finding visit to Portishead's traffic clogged Cabstand junction - to look at ways to improve it.North Somerset Council highways engineers are to meet with councillors today (Wednesday) to look at possible options to improve traffic flow at the Cabstand junction.A team of three Portishead councillors has been tasked by authority leaders to look at options to ease the gridlock caused by the traffic light system.One of the suggestions being put forward as a solution to the constant queues is to replace the traffic lights with two roundabouts - one at the bottom of Nore Road and the other at the top of the High Street.The initial Cabstand junction, installed in 2003 cost £800,000 and took nearly a year to complete.Since its installation it has caused controversy among people in the town who say it causes traffic gridlock in Portishead.Councillor David Jolley, who launched the campaign against Cabstand, said: "It has been identified that a change is needed and the people of Portishead have called for these changes."I have suggested that the lights are replaced by two roundabouts and we need to speak to the highways department to see if a scheme such as this would work."However, saying that I do not want to look at the Cabstand with a closed mind and all options to improve it should be considered."Any scheme needs to be fully costed and money identified from budgets."Once we have some firm proposals we can put forward a scheme for consideration."The investigation to look at ways to change the controversial road layout comes just months after hundreds of people took to the streets of Portishead to protest about the traffic light system.