Mutton Lane / Darkes Lane Junction Improvement Scheme.

At last the long awaited junction improvements go ahead on 1st August 2005. The scheme has gone through many changes in its planning so some of the information on links from this page may be out of date. Here is what webmaster believe are left in the plan:

1. Mutton Lane West is increased to 2 lanes Eastbound
This is the main feature to increase traffic flow at the junction, where currently during peak hours the queue can stretch back to Elm Court. .

2. Increased carriageway width on The Broadway.
Frequently there is a hold-up in The Broadway, as currently the lanes are not wide enough when buses or lorries try to get through. This increased width is gained by the loss of some pavement width.

3. Increased carriageway width on Mutton Lane East.
There is sometimes congestion here as the lanes are not wide enough to cope with large vehicles and parking near the junction.

4. Use of Scoot controlled traffic lights.
Scoot is a computer control system which controls phases to take account of traffic flows. This should improve traffic throughput.

5. New Landscaping.
On the corner of The Broadway and Mutton Lane (both sides of The Broadway) there will be raised flower beds between the pedestrian cross points. This will make any guard-railing on this side of Mutton Lane unnecessary. On the opposite side of Mutton Lane, there will be minimal guardrailing.

6. Improved Cycle Provision
The scheme includes cycle advanced stop lines on The Mutton Lane East and Baker Street legs (shown green on the plan). Insufficent space precludes them from the other two legs. Provision is made for cycle racks.

7. Improved Pedestrian Crossing Facilities.
The traffic islands are all increased in depth and width, and the one on Mutton Lane West, is made closer to the pedestrian desire line. Footway crossovers are NOT now included outside Manor Court. These would have given pedestrians a better walk down the north side of Mutton Lane West. These crossovers are shown as red on the plan. These crossovers were rejected by HCC.

8. Improved Street Lighting and other street furniture.
New street lights will be fitted from the junction to the railway bridge. The design will give a better level of lighting and allow Christmas lights to be fitted. Also to improve the look of The Broadway, the area in front of the shops on the East side will be re-paved.

Click here to see a slightly out of date Plan of the scheme.

Tom Shirley, Chair of Potters Bar in Focus Town Centre Group, made the following comment in respect of the scheme:

"Potters Bar in Focus Town Centre Group is delighted that at last, improvements are being made to The Broadway and Darkes Lane, but we are not so delighted with some of the details of the Mutton Lane/Broadway junction improvements. The Group and local Councillors have been working hard with Herts Highways over the last 30 months on the design of this junction. We have been successful in retaining the parking on both sides of the Broadway and retaining the traffic islands, used by pedestrians to help cross the road. We have not been successful in getting Herts Highways to improve the right hand turn from Baker Street. Design regulations do not allow a right filter in both directions, Broadway and Baker Street, without a raised reservation between the straight on and turn right lanes. To overcome this problem, the Group proposed a 3 phase sequence, (1) Mutton Lane both ways, (2) Darkes Lane only, (3) Baker Street only. This light sequence was computer modelled by Herts Highways which indicated that the capacity of the junction may be unacceptably reduced. The Group have requested that within 6 months of the new improvments works, this light sequence is remodelled using post-improvement data. It is suggested that drivers who dread that right hand turn from Baker St, continue along Darkes Lane and turn right at The Walk."

Early in the discussions with Herts Highways, Tom Shirley presented his own proposal to local councillors and Herts Highways (Mouchel). Remember, this was only a proposal, only some of the features were included in what will go ahead. Click here to see a copy of that proposal.