WORK to improve traffic efficiency on one of the town’s most congested roads is set to pick up pace after a consultation event takes place next week and it’s hoped work will start in just a few months.

The A628 Cundy Cross improvement scheme proposes to reconfigure the Cundy Cross junction and several of its entry and exit lanes.

Following a previous consultation event with the public, the area was found to be one of the worst-hit roads for congestion as well as the nearby Stairfoot Roundabout which is also subject to work taking place.

Council bosses say the scheme aims to support regeneration by relieving current and forecasted congestion along the A628 Pontefract Road corridor as well as improving bus journey time reliability.

This will be done through a variety of ways, including the removal of the current pedestrian refuge island on Pontefract Road near Priory Campus to create a longer two-lane inbound approach which should reduce queuing.

While traffic lights at the Rotherham Road and Meadow View junction will be removed, and Lang Avenue will be closed to car traffic at its junction with Pontefract Road.

The two-lane approach on Grange Lane coming from Stairfoot Roundabout will also be extended further back, once again to reduce queuing.

A two-week consultation began on Monday, with residents urged to submit their views.

The first in-person event will take place on Tuesday from 1pm to 5pm in the Maple Room at the Barnsley Healthcare Federation Priory Centre.

And another will take place at the same venue on Thursday from 10am to 2pm.

A council spokesperson said: “The consultation period will run for two weeks from Monday February 24 to Sunday March 9.

“Within this period, you can provide feedback to these proposals in several ways.

“We’re holding two drop-in consultation sessions to give you the chance to view our plans and provide in-person feedback.

“We encourage everyone to give feedback via our online survey so you can give your views.”

This project forms part of the council’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) programme and is supported by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and central government and is subsequently funded by the latter.

The Chronicle understands that a business case will be submitted in April following the end of the consultation stage.

Construction is then set to start in June this year and, if all goes to plan, the work will end in November.

Coun James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and highways, told the Chronicle: “Our plans to improve the Cundy Cross junction and several of its entry and exit lanes is an important project to support regeneration and tackle road traffic congestion to improve bus journey times on Pontefract Road.

“The work done at Cundy Cross will also enable our future scheme to improve Stairfoot Roundabout.

“The public consultation on the scheme has already begun and will last until Sunday March 9.

“We are already engaging with local residents and businesses, but it is important residents have their say and help us shape this scheme.

“We are holding two in person events in the Maple Room at the BHF Priory Centre on Pontefract Road on Tuesday, from 1pm to 5pm, and on Thursday from 10am to 2pm.

“Those who cannot attend these events can also fill in our online survey to give us their views or contact the council’s transportation team via the details on the project information page of the council’s website.”