A man has said he is concerned about plans to install a Toucan Crossing on the A355 near London End roundabout in Beaconsfield after temporary traffic lights in the area caused delays.

Simon Woolf, who lives in Beaconsfield Old Town, said: “Residents and the Beaconsfield Society have objected and raised concerns that a signalled crossing would not work at this junction and the temporary traffic lights in London End today make this very point.

“There is work in the Old Town to replace the road surface and there are temporary lights at the Zebra Crossing by Knights causing traffic to stop and block the London End roundabout, just as the Toucan Crossing is likely to do.”

Mr Woolf described the National Highways modelling process that assessed whether the Toucan Crossing should be installed near the roundabout as “flawed”, citing the delays caused by temporary traffic lights at the spot as evidence of potentially permanent disruption.

“I suspect this Toucan Crossing has not been modelled properly because if it is located too close to London End roundabout, it will cause all vehicles travelling north on the A355 to stop and cause obstruction to other traffic trying to access the roundabout from different entry points.

He added that the town’s relief road, which has been in place for over a year, already facilitated “free flowing access with little traffic congestion”, something he thinks could be changed for the worst by the introduction of a Zebra Crossing.

“Buckinghamshire Council is already under severe pressure to look for ways to save money and also tackle the nightmare issue of potholes.

"There would be more support if the money earmarked for the Toucan Crossing was used to repair the roads rather than install a pedestrian crossing in the wrong place.”

Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport, said the council was aware of the issues caused by the temporary traffic lights on the A40 London End.

"Although we always strive to minimise disruption of highways works on the travelling public, unfortunately delays do occur. We will continue to monitor the roadworks and ensure that the traffic management on site is safe and correct.

"As part of the planning permission for the Wilton Park development, a signalled crossing for pedestrians and cyclists was secured on the Park Lane arm of the London End roundabout to provide safe access to and from Beaconsfield town centre. 

"Works to deliver the signalised crossing have been purposefully delayed, until the A355 relief road was opened, which has enabled Park Lane to be downgraded. Works to install the new crossing are due to take place during the summer holidays and the current works being undertaken by Swish Fibre is not related to this sceme."