A MARCH councillor says he has received a personal assurance that the A141/A605 Goosetree roundabout will be built, despite proposals being discussed to install traffic lights instead. Councillor Peter Skoulding said he had won the assurance when he met C

A MARCH councillor says he has received a personal assurance that the A141/A605 Goosetree roundabout will be built, despite proposals being discussed to install traffic lights instead.

Councillor Peter Skoulding said he had won the assurance when he met Cambridgeshire County Council leader, Councillor Shona Johnstone.

"I tackled her when she came to March for a social function," said Cllr Skoulding. "I told her it was a hot potato locally and we wanted it and I told her I had made a promise to fight for the roundabout."

Cllr Skoulding added: "She told me 'you will get your roundabout' as I have told Alan (Councillor Alan Melton)."

It emerged this week that no final decision had yet been taken on permanent safety measures for the junction, although a county council spokesman said money was a key factor.

"Obviously the costs for the roundabout have gone up to around £2million and lights would be in the region of a quarter of that. It would leave the remaining money to be spent on saving lives and on accident black spots," said the spokesman.

"No decision has been made whether to have a roundabout or lights and that will go to cabinet in the New Year and a decision will be made then on what goes forward."

Cllr Skoulding said traffic lights had been put along the A141 recently during road improvements and the delays were horrendous.

"Traffic lights are not the answer," he said. "It is rubbish to say the cost will be £2million. Who do they think they are to tell me a roundabout is going to cost that sum of money?"

Councillor Melton, cabinet member for corporate services, said he had asked officers to investigate all ways of funding the roundabout. He agreed the capital programme was stretched but he recognised the A141 was a strategic route through to Peterborough.

"I want to be convinced the best possible, safest solution is in place over the next 10 years and beyond," he said.

"I am one of those councillors who pledged work for that roundabout and it is still my aim and the aim of every other county councillor as well.