Some people like traffic signs. Parwich can be a confusing place for drivers who haven’t been here before: there are tricky bends, dead ends and narrow roads to negotiate, and there’s always the danger of encountering a young child or a household pet around the next corner. If our traffic signs prevent even one serious accident from taking place, then their presence is justifed.
Other people loathe traffic signs. Some of them are too obvious, pointing out features that we can see perfectly well for ourselves. Others are unnecessary, pointing out features that cause no danger or difficulty. Others are redundant, pointing out features that have disappeared. Without traffic signs, our village would be a more visually attractive place, and drivers would be encouraged to think for themselves – perhaps even driving with more care and attention as a result.
There’s a strong case to be made for keeping some of our traffic signs, and there’s an equally strong case to be made for getting rid of others. So with that in mind, we’re going to run a series of posts on the traffic signs of Parwich. At the end of each post, there will be a poll, asking you whether the sign in question is useful or unnecessary. Whatever your opinion, we hope you’ll take the opportunity to state your case and have your say.
Off we go then, with our first sign…
This sign points out the narrowing of Creamery Lane, from above the junction of Monsdale Lane. Further uphill, there’s a sharp bend to the right to negotiate, without sufficient room for traffic to pass in both directions, and this could cause potential problems. Monsdale Lane is also narrower than the road below it, and so the sign effectively serves two functions.
However, perhaps this sign has outlived its usefulness? When Rathbone Hall was still in use as a care centre, Creamery Lane was a much busier road than it is now, with traffic running in both directions from staff and visitors. Many of the visitors would have been unfamiliar with the village, and perhaps they needed to be warned of the narrow road. But these days, Creamery Lane is a quiet backwater, with very little traffic and no through traffic at all – and Monsdale Lane is equally quiet.
So, what do you think? Is this traffic sign useful or unnecessary? Please vote in the poll below.
PARWICH.ORG 
Do you remember the lorry that got stuck at the top of Creamery Lane and required a crane to get moved? It wedged itself up there and seemed to cause some damage to the house by that bend.
I think some notice needs to be given to inform heavier vehicles that they can get into trouble if they proceed. Having said that, the sign didn’t stop that lorry did it!
This sign should really be replaced with one that states that there is no turning space ahead. I live in the house opposite the hairpin turn onto Kiln Lane and the house has sustained much damage over the years. What is also annoying is the moaning from van drivers who get stuck and expect me to be able to help. An ambulance got stuck on the corner the other week for over a hour trying to take the corner, luckily no one died as a result of the delay.
I agree that this sign is an eyesore. However……..
On average, at least a couple of vehicles get stuck up this road every week. There is also significant damage to the verge outside our house caused by large vehicles cutting the corner and this is contributing to severe subsidence in building known as “the pump house”. Damage has also been caused to the wall and roof of Barn cottage. More seriously, I have witnessed 2 ambulances on emergency calls getting stuck on the corner. When I wrote to the Derbyshire CC Transport department about 10 years ago, this sign appeared shortly after (sorry!). With the increased number of delivery vehicles around these days, the problem is getting worse. I have recently written again, but they do not propose to do anything about it. I agree with Gill’s suggestion of replacing this sign with one that states there is no where to turn ahead. Blocking off Creamery Lane to vehicles between Knob Hall and Barn Cottage has been suggested, but there would be nowhere to turn around. Interestingly, the council bin lorry manages to complete the route along Kiln Lane and down creamery lane every week – by reversing the entire length of Kiln lane from the Hall, so that it can go forwards down creamery lane. Perhaps we should suggest this manoevre for all traffic ……..