A traffic metering system at the Barkes Corner roundabout has been removed as New Zealand Transport Agency works on making further improvements.

The metering system was installed in early September as part of a solution to improve peak traffic flow.

It has involved the installation of traffic lights at the State Highway 29A Barkes Corner roundabout on the Pyes Pa Road and SH29A westbound approaches.

The lights, which are queue activated, are designed for roundabouts where one road is busier than the others leading into the intersection, dominating the flow into the roundabout and causing delays on the other roads.

They remain green except when high traffic queues on one leg activate them, then the traffic lights will turn red to stop the vehicles, allowing traffic from the busiest road to enter the roundabout.

'We are looking at options to remove the green light phase, and add more sets of traffic lights and signage,” says NZTA Bay of Plenty Transport System Manager, Rob Campbell.

'There is a process to go through to achieve this, and we won't turn the traffic lights on again until we are confident the changes we make are safe and intuitive for road users.

'We can't yet confirm exactly how long it will take to make these changes but we will keep people updated.

'With roundabout metering, standard give way rules apply when entering the roundabout, even if drivers have stopped at the red light first.”

Meanwhile ground works have also started on the roundabout metering at SH2 Elizabeth Street roundabout, says Rob.

'Traffic lights will be installed on the SH2 northbound approach to improve the traffic flow in the morning peak.

'The roundabout metering project at Elizabeth Street will incorporate the lessons learned from Barkes Corner.”

The Barkes Corner intersection was also the scene of two crashes at the end of September, which were reported within only an hour of each other.