A MAJOR row has erupted over an "idiotic" and "ridiculous" decision to change the layout of a busy roundabout near Stroud.

On Friday, August 2, two new controversial arrows were painted on the Westward Road approach to the Cainscross Roundabout.

For more than 50 years, there had previously been no arrows and has dramatically changed which lanes road users should use.

Drivers heading towards Paganhill via the first exit are being told to use the left lane.

Meanwhile, those travelling towards Stroud town centre via Cainscross Road must now use the right lane joining others travelling towards Dudbridge and Ebley.

Gloucestershire County Council says it made the changes to "improve safety" after multiple reports of near collisions.

However, the changes have been met with fury on social media with residents describing the situation as "dangerous" and "horrendous".

Many have urged GCC to remove the arrows and return the road layout how it was previously.

Before (right) and after (left) the new controversial arrows were painted on the Cainscross Roundabout  - photo by Newquest / Google Maps

While others say they are "dreading" when the school holidays end - with some warning that traffic "mayhem" and collisions are inevitable.

County Councillor John Bloxsom (L, Cainscross) says the situation needs urgently resolving before there is a "bad accident".

"The sudden appearance of these road markings has caused lots of confusion and some drivers are ignoring them," he said.

"There are still vehicles entering Cainscross Road from either lane.

"Drivers taking the right-hand lane to exit onto Cainscross Road as per the new road markings, tell me they are being undertaken by cars in the left-hand lane, which are carrying on past Paganhill Lane, and turning onto Cainscross Road.

"This creates a risk of collisions, and all road users all need to be very careful."

Cllr Bloxsom added: "I have asked for the markings to be reviewed, and I am told that this is ongoing.

"These markings aren't being followed and this needs to be resolved before there is a bad accident and before traffic builds up again when the schools return."

County Councillor John Bloxsom (L, Cainscross) says the situation needs urgently resolving before there is a "bad accident" - photo by Simon Pizzey 

So far, around 30 residents have reported the issue on the county council's FixMyStreet website.

People have also stated that by restricting the left lane, more vehicles are using the right lane, which is already causing more congestion.

In addition, some drivers have urged GCC to install new signage.

One resident said: "On the approach to the roundabout, the markings have changed.

"The change is going to cause chaos when schools return and the new markings are covered with cars.

"It seems wrong to have three exits all coming off one lane and the queues will be horrendous.

The new arrows which have been painted by GCC - photo by Simon Pizzey 

"The traffic will be constantly backed up to the traffic lights causing mayhem with traffic coming from Cashes Green and Westward Road.

"Any locals who know the road layout and know how bad the traffic can be already will know that this new layout will cause absolute chaos!"

Another said: "This change is going to cause huge problems and could cause accidents.

"Near misses are already being reported because when there is traffic you can't see the arrows and the roundabout has been used the same way for 50+ years.

"Most of the traffic goes to Cainscross Road and Dudbridge so to have both these exits using the same lane is going to cause absolute mayhem to an already gridlocked roundabout during rush hour."

"We will continue to monitor the roundabout" says GCC 

Responding to concerns, a GCC spokesperson said: "We have made changes to the road markings on the two lanes in Westward Road on the approach to Cainscross Roundabout.

"This has been done to improve safety following reports of near collisions with two lanes of traffic entering Cainscross Road.

"We will continue to monitor the roundabout and assess the impact of the new road markings before making any further decisions."

The Westward Road approach to the Cainscross Roundabout - photo by Simon Pizzey 

The Cainscross Roundabout - photo by Simon Pizzey