PLANS to install a new traffic lights system at a busy junction will cost more than £1.2 million – and despite the formation of a new council body to implement it, the pandemic could decide when it happens.

A recently published report by Buckinghamshire Council includes the approved budget for a new set of traffic lights to replace the Crest Road roundabout at £1.25 million.

And the creation of a new High Wycombe Regeneration Board means there is now an official arm of the council tasked to make it happen.

READ MORE: REVEALED: Cost and dates for new Aldi and McDonald’s in High Wycombe

The Board has a series of high-value “big moves” under its remit known as the Regeneration Strategy – and the Crest Road signals are one such move.

According to council documents, Crest Road is at the “Technical Design” phase, which refers to the “pre-construction technical, specification and procurement stage”.

The project itself has a close date of June 2021.

It should be noted speed and delivery of the new signals, as well as other large projects, hinges on the pandemic’s impact on the economy.

“One of the first agenda items [for the Board] will be to review the current regeneration plans,” said Conservative Cllr Steve Bowles, cabinet member for town centre regeneration.

“We may need to change those post-Covid…[but] some may not have to change.”

READ MORE: Cressex Island overhaul plans move forward – and council wants to install more traffic lights

The news coincides with the revelation of a new Aldi supermarket and McDonald’s drive-thru at Cressex Island valued at £4.4 million.

That project is at the “developed design” phase, which refers to the “detailed design, planning application and costings stage” – and has a project close date of February 2021.

Previous reports by this newspaper about the Crest Road signals also revealed council plans to install a 600-metre walking and cycle route along the south side of John Hall Way, joining up with the cycleway on Cressex Link Road and extending to the Handy Cross roundabout.

There was also mention of new toucan crossings at the Crest Road junction, an extra right-turn lane from Crest Road into John Hall Way, a new westbound through lane on John Hall Way and new surfacing and signage.

The Regeneration Strategy, aimed at High Wycombe, Princes Risborough and Marlow, is designed to ‘double the town’s economic output’ by 2050.

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