FACED with mounting criticism the county council has abandoned proposals for Broad Street, March that might have seen traffic lights removed and replaced with a roundabout.

Cambs Times: Greggs the Bakers next to The Fountain in Broad Street, March.Greggs the Bakers next to The Fountain in Broad Street, March. (Image: Archant)

Today’s Cabinet meeting at Shire Hall was told the ideas had been formulated to address congestion within the town centre.

Cambs Times: Broad Street, March.Broad Street, March. (Image: Archant)

However Dearbhla Lawson, head of transport, reported the “shared use” proposal for Broad Street had not been well received.

“The proposal proved controversial, with strong opinions being expressed,” she said. Many of those consulted did not approve.

“Therefore in seeking to address the congestion issue in the town centre further development of different options is required,” she told Cabinet.

Angry March residents have had vowed to sit on the fountain to stop it from being moved when the proposals were discovered earlier this year.

The plans not only included removing the traffic lights and replacing them with a roundabout but also proposed narrowing the road and moving the Memorial Fountain.

The fountain was built in 1911 to commemorate the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary.

One idea considered today was to produce an action plan which will provide better access for cyclists and pedestrians crossing the river in March.

Figures released by he council show that only one in three supported the replacement of traffic lights with a roundabout.

There was also widespread opposition to plans to reduce the amount of space given for parking in Broad Street which would have provided more room for pedestrians.

Half those surveyed also felt the council should provide steps leading down to the river from Broad Street: the majority polled felt the council needed to identify measures to ease congestion.