I am quite curious to find out the reasoning behind the recent nonsensical setting changes made to the traffic light on the corner of Robert Broom Drive and Swannevelder/Norden Roads in Noordheuwel.
As it is, this is probably one of the most congested roads, especially during peak hour.
The recent change to the settings of this particular traffic light has been to the huge disadvantage of the Robert Broom road-user.
According to www.distancecalculator.co.za, the distance from the traffic light on the corner of Robert Broom and Amaryllis Drive to the intersection mentioned above, is 2,3km with an estimated travelling time of three minutes.
Since the introduction of the change, I have consistently monitored my travelling time over the same distance.
It now takes approximately 15 minutes to get from Amaryllis Road to Swannevelder/Norden Roads – a mere 2,3km. This has been over the same time period every afternoon – approximately 4.30pm. Most afternoon traffic is backed up from the Amaryllis traffic light – and moving at snail’s pace.
Robert Broom, being a single lane on this particular stretch, carries huge volumes of traffic and this crazy adjustment affects travellers in both directions.
I have further observed that the green light/ turning arrow at the Swannevelder/Norden end allows vehicles almost the same amount of time as the light at the Robert Broom end – often with limited or no vehicles from these ends.
This is cause for huge frustration and shows no logic at all.
I would like to invite traffic officials to observe this mess first-hand, and see that change is not always a good thing.
