Active Travel scheme at the Fountains Roundabout in Chester

From Monday 12 May, phase 1 of the scheme will see the existing permanent traffic signals at the roundabout turned off to assess how the junction operates.

Cheshire West and Chester Council wants to explore options to improve traffic flow, pedestrian safety and accessibility by providing crossing facilities on the roundabout itself, rather than just the current subways.

This trial will use Active Travel funding to explore options to improve Fountains Roundabout in Chester city centre for both motorists and pedestrians.

On 27 May 2025, Phase 2 of the trial will begin, this will involve installing temporary pedestrian crossings across St Oswald’s Way to help pedestrians crossing the road. The trial will then continue until the 7 July 2025, when the temporary pedestrian facilities will be removed and the permanent traffic signals will be switched back on.

We will be monitoring the impacts on traffic, as well as the use of the temporary crossing throughout the trials. Existing subways will be left unchanged.

If the trial is a success, we will begin design work on a permanent solution which will also consider opportunities to improve wider walking routes to the new crossing from the University and Upper Northgate Street.

St Annes Street junction, Chester - Active Travel England funded scheme

Major road works to upgrade this junction were completed in Spring 2025.

The improvement scheme included the replacement of old equipment and upgraded traffic signals equipment, plus active travel and local safety measures. Segregated crossing facilities around the full junction were installed, including a new signal crossing facility to enable a direct crossing to the Chester Bus Interchange.

The in-house designed scheme was jointly funded by Active Travel England and the Emerging Pressures budgets following successful bids.