Taking action over busy road (From Witney Gazette)

Taking action over busy road

5:00pm Monday 2nd July 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Debbie Waite, Features writer

From left to right: Judith, Timothy, Thomas and Harrison Massey, five; Sarah Watkinson, Lib Dem councillor Elizabeth Poskitt and David Roulston who have campaigned for several years to have the speed limit reduced

BLADON residents campaigning for a mandatory 20mph speed limit on their busiest and narrowest street will hand a petition to the county council this month.

Sarah Watkinson , 70, launched the 20 is Plenty for Us campaign six months ago, with the aim of getting a mandatory 20mph limit on Park Street through the West Oxfordshire village.

She said buildings have been clipped by wing mirrors and pedestrians and cyclists often take their lives into their hands when they use the stretch of the street between the White House pub and the methodist church.

A 20mph limit would mean safer passage for everyone.

Mrs Watkinson, who has lived in Bladon for 40 years, explained: “We are talking about a street which houses the village pub, the tea shop, the school gates and the church hall which also hosts the junior church. Yet here we have the narrowest road and the narrowest pavements and no traffic weight restrictions.”

She added: “I have collected a petition with over 60 signatures and this will be presented at the full council meeting on July 10.”

The issue of 20mph limits in Oxfordshire has been rejected by county councillors in the past over concerns for local businesses and the extra drain on police resources needed to enforce them.

Related links

More Witney news

But Mrs Watkinson said: “With 20mph limits, drivers become more aware, and speeds reduce without the need for extra police.”

Newly-elected Lib Dem councillor for Woodstock and Bladon, Dr Elizabeth Poskitt, is supporting the Bladon 20 is Plenty for Us campaign.

She said: “Measures to enforce 20mph over this stretch of road are the least that should be done to create a safer, better, environment for those who live and those who visit Bladon.

“The petition to the county council raises awareness and draws attention to the level of local support for enforceable 20mph limits.”

There have been six accidents on the A4095 through Bladon in the past five years, none of which have been fatal.

Comments(21)

Phian says...
7:36pm Mon 2 Jul 12

This is the A4095, a main road not some lane through a picturesque
village. The road cannot be widened and a bypass is unlikely.
I suspect the villages will have to put up with it, 20mph limits in other areas have been found tio be unenforceable.

Report this post »

Dilligaf2010 says...
8:56pm Mon 2 Jul 12

"She said: “Measures to enforce 20mph over this stretch of road are the least that should be done to create a safer, better, environment for those who live and those who visit Bladon."........
.......of course she's right, if the next thing they want to complain about is the air quality, and the fact that a lot of residents have breathing problems.
Vehicles trundling along at 20mph, or less, benefit nobody, except the Government (fuel tax revenues), even 30mph isn't ideal, most engines aren't designed to run that slow, hence they're less efficient when they do.

Report this post »

the wizard says...
10:19pm Mon 2 Jul 12

This is of course the stretch of road that has had the centre white line marking removed, which encourages larger traffic into the middle of the road so the drivers can bully traffic coming towards them. Smiths trucks like the one conveniently in the photograph are not innocent in this either. There is an alternative route but that would put more traffic through Cassington. However, a weight restriction on both roads would force the heavier trucks to go via a longer but safer route. Surely that has to be the long term answer.

Report this post »

nickwilcock says...
10:32pm Mon 2 Jul 12

"However, a weight restriction on both roads would force the heavier trucks to go via a longer but safer route. Surely that has to be the long term answer?"

Quite correct! The size of HGVs forcing their way along the A4095 through Bladon has increased substantially over the years, as has their number.

The silly 'no white line' road section is another of those ridiculous highway engineers' experiments which, in reality, is useless. Such as coloured road surfaces - which usually wear out after a couple of months' use.

Weight restrictions and SENSIBLE speed limits, not horse and cart speed limits which cannot be enforced - that's the only way to sort out the problem.

Or perhaps a proper dual carriageway from Wheatley to Cheltenham?

Report this post »

the wizard says...
8:34am Tue 3 Jul 12

Nick,

While it is good to agree on something whole hearted I cannot see any body buying into the dual carriageway, due to considerations of cost. Yes it would sort out a great many issues, and on that we are totally together. The costings would prohibit any move in that direction right now, but in stages and with co-operation from Glous. then it may happen , possibly in our lifetimes. You know how slow these issues are at getting resolved.

Report this post »

Lady Penelopee says...
9:23am Tue 3 Jul 12

A 20mph limit clearly won't solve anything.

The issue here is the TYPE of traffic coming through the village, and the road layout. The latter can't be changed, so the ONLY solution is to put a weight limit on the road, and make heavy large vehicles find a more suitable route.

Report this post »

xjohnx says...
10:09am Tue 3 Jul 12

I am routinely tailgated through Bladon until I am forced to speed up (the road is unsuitable for overtaking).

This will happen just the same with a 20mph limit.

The only way to slow traffic in this location would be to put in traffic humps.

Report this post »

GrouchoSays says...
10:10am Tue 3 Jul 12

I use the road to and from work each day and have friends who live opposite the cafe. The cars slow down, but many of the large trucks don't and as they have to take the bend so wide, I fear there could be an accident one day. Can't the trucks use the A40 or wait until after rush-hour?

Report this post »

Bartsimpson_uk says...
10:34am Tue 3 Jul 12

Very sensible Groucho....yep tell all them nasty truck drivers to sit around until the rush hour is over until they start work! Doh

Report this post »

bodchris says...
11:08am Tue 3 Jul 12

What a waste of time!!!!!!!!!! Campaign for the A40 to be upgraded then all the A4095 traffic would go.

Report this post »

bodchris says...
11:40am Tue 3 Jul 12

The A4095 through Bladon and Long Hanborough was never designed as a major traffic route. Because of the faillure of Government mainly the last Labour regime that cancelled the road building programme we are in the mess we are in now. The A40 should have been made a three lane road many years ago. Bladon, Long Hanborough and Freeland andall the inhabitents along the road now pay the price. Not to forget the extra time it takes motorists. And please public transport/cycling advocates we need more and better roads not more money on public transport schemes.

Report this post »

Man on the Green says...
11:47am Tue 3 Jul 12

There is actually a relatively cheap and easy method of enforcing a 20mph speed limit on this road, one recommended not only by both the Environment and Transport Select Committees of Parliament but also by ACPO (the Association of Chief Police Officers), namely the SPECS system (which uses automated cameras to measure average speeds over a given length of road). This has proved highly effective in reducing average and actual speeds in every location in which it has been deployed, and the internationally reputed Road Transport Lab in Bracknell has carried out research showing that for every 1mph reduction in average speeds in current 30mph areas to which a 20mph limit is applied, there is a corresponding 12% reduction in accident rates (including fatalities and property damage) and this has been confirmed up to 5mph reductions in average speeds, bringing a 60% reduction in accidents. The County Council is ideologically opposed to the concept, and has resorted even to misrepresentation and the deliberate production of false reports to Government to avoid its responsibilities in this respect (it is also important to remember that there are also adverse impacts on air quality of higher speeds and sudden braking rather than gradual slow-down as vehicles enter a vulnerable residential area). This and other notable transport shortcomings (such as the disastrous AbITS scheme and the fiasco of the Cogges Link Road) have highlighted the inefficacy of the frankly incestuous "scrutiny" (sic) system in place at the OCC, which needs radical change if senior management at the authority are to be held to account.

But the residents of Bladon are right to push, and should use the new powers in the planning process to force the hand of the County. For a very modest sum, lower speeds could be achieved virtually overnight. They should demand action from the new leader of the Council, a Bladon resident I believe, who should also grasp the nettle of dealing with the incompetence that is so rampant in both the Council's Legal Services (double sic!) and its Economy & Environment directorate. But he should start by getting rid of the grossly underperforming and totally ineffective Chief Executive, who has presided over a staggering decline in standards in a once effective administration. The rotten apple in the barrel always finishes by spreading the rot to the rest.

There is actually a relatively cheap and easy method of enforcing a 20mph speed limit on this road, one recommended not only by both the Environment and Transport Select Committees of Parliament but also by ACPO (the Association of Chief Police Officers), namely the SPECS system (which uses automated cameras to measure average speeds over a given length of road). This has proved highly effective in reducing average and actual speeds in every location in which it has been deployed, and the internationally reputed Road Transport Lab in Bracknell has carried out research showing that for every 1mph reduction in average speeds in current 30mph areas to which a 20mph limit is applied, there is a corresponding 12% reduction in accident rates (including fatalities and property damage) and this has been confirmed up to 5mph reductions in average speeds, bringing a 60% reduction in accidents. The County Council is ideologically opposed to the concept, and has resorted even to misrepresentation and the deliberate production of false reports to Government to avoid its responsibilities in this respect (it is also important to remember that there are also adverse impacts on air quality of higher speeds and sudden braking rather than gradual slow-down as vehicles enter a vulnerable residential area). This and other notable transport shortcomings (such as the disastrous AbITS scheme and the fiasco of the Cogges Link Road) have highlighted the inefficacy of the frankly incestuous "scrutiny" (sic) system in place at the OCC, which needs radical change if senior management at the authority are to be held to account. But the residents of Bladon are right to push, and should use the new powers in the planning process to force the hand of the County. For a very modest sum, lower speeds could be achieved virtually overnight. They should demand action from the new leader of the Council, a Bladon resident I believe, who should also grasp the nettle of dealing with the incompetence that is so rampant in both the Council's Legal Services (double sic!) and its Economy & Environment directorate. But he should start by getting rid of the grossly underperforming and totally ineffective Chief Executive, who has presided over a staggering decline in standards in a once effective administration. The rotten apple in the barrel always finishes by spreading the rot to the rest. Man on the Green

Report this post »

the wizard says...
12:00pm Tue 3 Jul 12

While I agree with MOTGreen I cannot see a lot of Bladon residents agreeing on the SPECS camera's blighting their "beautiful village" hung on gantries across the road. The problem area exists only for a few hundred yards, so why not narrow it completely and just traffic light that one stretch. Make just wide enough for trucks up to a certain weight limit and the rest will have to go around an alternative route.
Paving and railings and plenty of enforcement signs and the odd police operation making sure its enforced should do it and strong letters to local hauliers spelling out the error of their ways should they chose not to comply.

Report this post »

Lady Penelopee says...
12:57pm Tue 3 Jul 12

xjohnx wrote:
I am routinely tailgated through Bladon until I am forced to speed up (the road is unsuitable for overtaking). This will happen just the same with a 20mph limit. The only way to slow traffic in this location would be to put in traffic humps.

lol! Traffic humps are the worst invention EVER and would make it even worse.

The only vehicles they slow down are small or low cars.

4x4s, lorries, vans etc... can just drive over them at 30mph!

They also slow down emergency vehicles.

Report this post »

GrouchoSays says...
1:29pm Tue 3 Jul 12

This is totally irrelevant, but my father told me about a genuine radio phone-in the other day. The listener called to complain about "Deer Crossing" signs and asked if they could be removed as the deer think it's safe to cross when it isn't.

Report this post »

Dilligaf2010 says...
2:05pm Tue 3 Jul 12

That truck must've been going really fast, but they still managed to get the drive to stop so they could take the photo.

Report this post »

xjohnx says...
2:36pm Tue 3 Jul 12

Lady Penelopee wrote:

xjohnx wrote:
I am routinely tailgated through Bladon until I am forced to speed up (the road is unsuitable for overtaking). This will happen just the same with a 20mph limit. The only way to slow traffic in this location would be to put in traffic humps.
lol! Traffic humps are the worst invention EVER and would make it even worse.

The only vehicles they slow down are small or low cars.

4x4s, lorries, vans etc... can just drive over them at 30mph!

They also slow down emergency vehicles.

EXACTLY HOW WOULD A 20mph SIGN SLOW DOWN SPEEDING LORRIES, 4x4'S, VANS,etc WHEN A 30 mph SIGN CAN'T????

Correctly designed humps do two things.

1) Give drivers who would otherwise be intimidated an obvious reason to slow down.

2) Properly designed they would slow down all traffic.

Report this post »

A34North says...
4:39pm Tue 3 Jul 12

Knock down some houses and widen the the road, problem solved. The road has been there longer than the people who now live there. Usual thing, move in and then demand change to suit their requirements and people only to quick to point fingers and shout meaningless statistics. Never a though for others just me, me, me.

Report this post »

the wizard says...
4:43pm Tue 3 Jul 12

xjohnx wrote:

Lady Penelopee wrote:

xjohnx wrote:
I am routinely tailgated through Bladon until I am forced to speed up (the road is unsuitable for overtaking). This will happen just the same with a 20mph limit. The only way to slow traffic in this location would be to put in traffic humps.
lol! Traffic humps are the worst invention EVER and would make it even worse.

The only vehicles they slow down are small or low cars.

4x4s, lorries, vans etc... can just drive over them at 30mph!

They also slow down emergency vehicles.
EXACTLY HOW WOULD A 20mph SIGN SLOW DOWN SPEEDING LORRIES, 4x4'S, VANS,etc WHEN A 30 mph SIGN CAN'T????

Correctly designed humps do two things.

1) Give drivers who would otherwise be intimidated an obvious reason to slow down.

2) Properly designed they would slow down all traffic.

If you go back and read the article it comes across that width of vehicles is the sticking point as they pass through the narrowest point, so speed humps will not reduce their width, but yes reduce their speed so steering closer to the kerb becomes easier, granted.

If you narrow the carriageway to single width and place it in the middle of the space available then it will stop buildings from being damaged.

Putting a weight limit through the village should also keep the larger vehicles that cause the damage away from the situation.

The only other option would be a road from the dual carriageway through to the Eynsham road, but then again its another road through farm land so objections would be many, but it would solve a lot of problems, and would keep the trucks out.

Report this post »

xjohnx says...
4:46pm Tue 3 Jul 12

the wizard wrote:

xjohnx wrote:

Lady Penelopee wrote:

xjohnx wrote:
I am routinely tailgated through Bladon until I am forced to speed up (the road is unsuitable for overtaking). This will happen just the same with a 20mph limit. The only way to slow traffic in this location would be to put in traffic humps.
lol! Traffic humps are the worst invention EVER and would make it even worse.

The only vehicles they slow down are small or low cars.

4x4s, lorries, vans etc... can just drive over them at 30mph!

They also slow down emergency vehicles.
EXACTLY HOW WOULD A 20mph SIGN SLOW DOWN SPEEDING LORRIES, 4x4'S, VANS,etc WHEN A 30 mph SIGN CAN'T????

Correctly designed humps do two things.

1) Give drivers who would otherwise be intimidated an obvious reason to slow down.

2) Properly designed they would slow down all traffic.
If you go back and read the article it comes across that width of vehicles is the sticking point as they pass through the narrowest point, so speed humps will not reduce their width, but yes reduce their speed so steering closer to the kerb becomes easier, granted.

If you narrow the carriageway to single width and place it in the middle of the space available then it will stop buildings from being damaged.

Putting a weight limit through the village should also keep the larger vehicles that cause the damage away from the situation.

The only other option would be a road from the dual carriageway through to the Eynsham road, but then again its another road through farm land so objections would be many, but it would solve a lot of problems, and would keep the trucks out.

Doh!!!! Whole story is about 20 mph speed limit.

Read the story properly please!!!!

Report this post »

Lady Penelopee says...
10:13am Wed 4 Jul 12

xjohnx wrote:

Lady Penelopee wrote:
xjohnx wrote: I am routinely tailgated through Bladon until I am forced to speed up (the road is unsuitable for overtaking). This will happen just the same with a 20mph limit. The only way to slow traffic in this location would be to put in traffic humps.
lol! Traffic humps are the worst invention EVER and would make it even worse. The only vehicles they slow down are small or low cars. 4x4s, lorries, vans etc... can just drive over them at 30mph! They also slow down emergency vehicles.
EXACTLY HOW WOULD A 20mph SIGN SLOW DOWN SPEEDING LORRIES, 4x4'S, VANS,etc WHEN A 30 mph SIGN CAN'T???? Correctly designed humps do two things. 1) Give drivers who would otherwise be intimidated an obvious reason to slow down. 2) Properly designed they would slow down all traffic.

Er... as per my previous post, they won't!

A 20mph limit won't do anything to this stretch of road, as the issue is the size of vehicles travelling down it, not the speed.

I really don't understand the 20mph campaign, as it just makes the campaigners look like they don't actually understand the problem.

Report this post »

Taking action over busy road (From Witney Gazette)

News RSS Feed

Taking action over busy road

Related links

click2find

Jobs

Dating

Homes

Cars

About cookies