PLANNERS are heading back to the drawing board following a public outcry over works at a busy roundabout.

Changes were initially made at the Rechem Roundabout to manage an increase in traffic as a result of the new Taylor Wimpey Edlogan Wharf development.

It included an additional exit filter for roads leading to the roundabout.

But following a number of complaints, the Welsh Government, which manages the trunk road network of which the roundabout is part, has requested the situation be looked at by Taylor Wimpey.

“The developer is going back to their design team to look again at the road layout,” said a Welsh Government spokesman.

“This is likely to involve the lane one approach to the roundabout off the A4042 (north and southbound) to be re-allocated to the trunk road traffic. In the current design, this is allocated to local roads only.

“This change will require some modifications to the central lane markings to readdress the three lanes entering the roundabout, and it is anticipated this will take a week to process, and a further two weeks to be implemented.”

A spokesman for Taylor Wimpey confirmed a company had been contracted to carry out the works.

He said: “The Welsh Government has requested that we make some slight changes to the design of the new A4042 Rechem Roundabout being built as part of the planning consent for our Edlogan Wharf development.

“This work will begin the week commencing May 7.”

Motorists had slammed the initial changes, which they said had caused “long delays” and “traffic nightmares”.

Pontypool resident Phil Williams said he avoids the roundabout at “all costs”.

“It is gridlock at certain times of the day,” he added.

“The new filters have not opened so there is a lot of traffic. “I work in Cwmbran and I will go the long way round.

“I am happy that they are going back to the table to replan it.”

New Inn resident Tony Clark also said the works had caused “lots of confusion”.

He said: “If you are coming from Pontypool the exit filter on the left is now only for New Inn. That never used to be the case.

“There is no warning of this change. Drivers end up cutting up others because they have to get out of the left lane to go start over the roundabout.”

And Cllr Fiona Cross, executive member for the environment at Torfaen council, added: “Following concerns raised by residents about traffic flow we met with the Welsh Government and their contractors on site to discuss what could be done.

“As a result Welsh Government have advised that revised plans are being drawn up which should ease the current traffic problems.”