Sandra S has contacted us with the following thoughts on the current state of the B5056 between Fenny Bentley and the Parwich turn-off, with particular reference to the so-called “temporary” traffic lights:
1. Traffic lights.
Whilst searching for information on another subject, I noticed that the B5056 used to be the A524. How much sooner would the traffic light problem be dealt with if the road was classified as an A-road, and why was it downgraded in the first place?
The amount of heavy lorries putting so much pressure on the road should surely mean that a substantial surface should be put down to take the weight, or the lorries should be re-routed onto an existing A-road.
We do see roads with signs for no more than 7.5 tonnes.
Perhaps someone would like to approach the council with the above questions. I did ask Highways some time ago why this very busy road was not called an A-road? I did not get an answer, but more of a mumble.
P.S The traffic lights are battery powered apparently, and over a weekend they can run out of juice.
2. Road safety near the Bentley Brook.
Because so many people from Parwich travel on the B5056 past the Bentley Brook pub, would they please be mindful that where the road sinks on a regular basis just prior to the pub, there is actually a gaping gap under the road there. One day, the road will give – and on a selfish note, I just hope that I am not the one travelling by at the time. Has anyone noticed the wall listing?
Lorries pass on the opposite side to the pub laden with goods. On the way back, they are empty. I am certain that if they were laden coming back, then many more places on the B5056 would be at risk.
3. The chevron sign.
A van collided with the wall at the bottom of Ravenscliffe Farm next to the B5056. The wall was damaged. Some of it was knocked down. The gate and posts were obliterated. The chevron sign was also knocked off of its posts and sent into our field. That happened in October 2007.
I consider the chevron sign to be quite important on a fairly sharp bend. The wall and chevron sign were only put back up by the council last week. It has taken one year to put right.
It is a shame the cement in the wall will not last, due to it having been done in frosty weather.
The 50 mph signs are a good thing to help with road safety, but I am not too amused by the fact that signs have been erected on our land without even a please or thank you!
– Sandra S.
For a recap on the current traffic light situation as we understand it…
The following information has been extracted from the minutes of the last Tissington Safer Neighbourhood Team meeting, which took place on Monday 17th November 2008:
Jane Harris (Parwich Parish Council) asked about the Woodeaves road, and the temporary traffic lights. She commented on the poor state, and that the lights had been there for over a year with nothing being done.
Simon Tranter (DCC Traffic & Safety Manager) explained that DCC had £300,000 to sort out a retaining wall, with an extensive crash barrier. They are waiting for the results of a Geo survey to assess the ground before doing any work. The work should start before March 2009, as it is funded from this year’s budget.
PARWICH.ORG notes with some amusement that the “temporary” traffic lights are STILL not listed on Derbyshire County Council’s public database. Perhaps this is because the lights have now been designated as permanent!
In other, more welcome news, the DCC website indicates that the temporary lights on the Hognaston bypass (just before the turn-off to the Carsington Water visitors’ centre) are due to be removed by Friday December 19th.
PARWICH.ORG 
The state of repair of this road is deteriorating. On the south bound side of the B5056 between Bradbourne Mill and the Bentley Brook Inn the number of potholes seems to be increasing. If there is a lorry coming the other way you have no choice but to drive into them. I certainly would not want to risk it on a bike.
I rang the Highways Department last week to offer my view that leaving ‘temporary’ traffic lights for over a year on the B5056 amounted to a dereliction of duty on the part of the local authority. They told me that they have employed consultants to work on a plan for an ecologically suitable repair and the road should be put to rights in about six months. Wow! That’s impressive.