Roundabout's 36 traffic lights switched on

The new roundabout layout features dedicated crossing facilities for those walking and cycling

A roundabout on a main route into a city has finally had its traffic lights switched on... all 36 of them.

The "signalised" roundabout on the junction of Milton Road and Elizabeth Way lit up on Tuesday. It is one of the last in a line of improvements to be completed as part of the Milton Road Improvement Scheme - a key road into Cambridge city centre.

Work started in 2022, and it features pedestrian crossings and a dedicated cycle lane. The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) said the total cost of the scheme had been £31.9m.

A GCP spokesperson said: "We'd like to thank everyone for their patience as we commissioned the signals at the roundabout."

The "signalised" roundabout is one of the last in a line of improvements on Milton Road

The new roundabout includes two crossings at the Milton Road junction, one crossing at Highworth Avenue and one at the Elizabeth Way junction.

Proposals were first put to the public in a consultation in 2015, with a second consultation held in 2018.

The GCP - a collaboration of businesses, councils and academia - approved the scheme in 2022 before construction began in the autumn of that year.

The scheme also included a "cycling optimised protected signals" (Cyclops) junction, which segregates pedestrians and cyclists from motorised traffic, at King's Hedges.

The new roundabout features a sparrow crossing at the Elizabeth Way junction

There is also a signalised T-junction with two crossings at Gilbert Road and a signalised crossroads with four crossings at Arbury Road.

A GCP spokesperson said: "The new layout features dedicated crossing facilities for those walking and cycling, so people can safely cross the road, even during the busiest times.

"These features will mean parents, children and commuters can have the confidence to walk and cycle along Milton Road, whether they are heading to the shops, school or work.

"Working with the community, we added new flowers and different types of trees to the roundabout."

They added: "Aside from brightening up the area as an attractive place to live, walk, cycle or drive, it also enhances biodiversity and helps support vegetation growth.

"We would like to thank everyone who helped with making the roundabout a reality."