Archive for the ‘Roads’ Category

A515 amongst the most dangerous in the country

Posted in News, Roads, Transport on Wednesday April 23, 2008| 3 Comments »

This week’s Ashbourne News Telegraph reveals us to have one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the country for motorbikes:  “Figures released to coincide with a new campaign show that the short stretch of A515 between Ashbourne and Alsop-en-le-Dale has seen more bikers die or be injured than most other roads in the country.”  To find out more about the road safety campaign call Derbyshire County Council on 01629 058058.

A recent post here at PARWICH.ORG raised concerns that the new 50mph speed limit has made this road even more dangerous, so will we see the local section of the A515 moving up the league table to become the most dangerous stretch of road in the country?

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Potholes!

Posted in Roads, Transport on Wednesday April 23, 2008| 2 Comments »

Have you noticed that the potholes seem to have been “repaired”.  An orange DCC van was seen yesterday at various points around Parwich filling the many holes.  Is our blog & the phone calls to County Council making a difference.? I have been told that there is a book open in the village, bets being placed now as to how long these repairs will last.  Your comments please.

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How to make a road unsafe by reducing the speed limit – a personal view by Bob.

Posted in Opinion, Roads, Transport on Sunday April 20, 2008| 3 Comments »

I have been driving up and down the A515 most weekdays for around 12 years. From 1995 when we lived in Doveridge, near Uttoxeter to work in Buxton, and from 2002 when we moved to Parwich. The past month, I have witnessed more dangerous driving incidents than most of those 12 years put together.

What has changed this past month? The speed limit has been reduced for most of the length between Ashbourne and Buxton from 60mph to 50mph.

On the face of it, one would think that reducing the speed limit would encourage safer driving, and I for one would certainly endorse a reduction in limit (to 40 or even 30) in inherently dangerous stretches such as the Alsop curves, Fenny Bentley and Brierlow Bar. However, a blanket 50mph along the whole stretch including Lean Low seems to be encouraging some really bad driving.

Many drivers have dutifully reduced their speed, however many don’t, and some appear to get frustrated with those who do observe the 50 limit which encourages dangerous overtaking manoeuvres at high speed. A great distance can be covered overtaking a vehicle traveling at 50mph, and drivers get themselves into trouble very quickly through a lack of judgement about how much road they have available.

Several times in the past month, I have come over the brow of a hill to find two cars abreast traveling toward me at relative closing speed of 100mph+. I honestly do not believe the road has been made safer in many stretches by the introduction of this blanket 50mph speed limit, and additionally there are very expensive looking solar and wind powered signs appearing along the length of the road, presumably to remind drivers to keep to the speed limit.

It doesn’t seem to make sense to me – I just don’t want to give in to the cynic in me which suspects an ulterior motive. What authority could possibly put revenue raising above safety considerations?

Comments?

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Concern about potholes in Smithy Lane

Posted in Roads, Transport on Sunday April 6, 2008| 1 Comment »

We have had several comments on the potholes appearing in Smithy Lane as it approaches Townhead Green, at the edge of the village. A lot of water runs down the Dale road and the Hilltop road, and also there seems to be a collapsed drain in the middle of the road adding to the water on the road. There is the perennial problem of ice here in winter on a blind bend, but the recent wet weather has meant a significant deterioration in the road surface. There is a danger now that drivers will be worrying about avoiding the potholes and not concentrating on whether anyone else is coming the other way.  We have emailed this information to the County Council (http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/transport_roads/).

However, what are your thoughts?

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The not so temporary traffic lights – An update.

Posted in News, Roads on Thursday April 3, 2008| 15 Comments »

I have just been onto Derbyshire County Council again, with regard to the not so ‘temporary’ traffic lights. I have spoken to David Nicholson (01629 580000 extn 7685) and the lights will be present for at least another 12 months minimum. Apparently a new wall has to be built, but so that it is not undermined by the river, (“a unique problem in Derbyshire”) then the barrier is added to comply with current standards. Their design teams are looking at the problem and the cost will be in excess of £300,000 (cynically- is this the real problem). I did suggest that maybe the problem wasn’t unique in the country & do their designers contact other authoritities to share information & ideas? The reply was “No”.

The reason that the lights do not always work is because according to DCC someone is regularly tampering with them!

This blog can also be found with the comments in the blog below, but I felt this information was important enough to stand alone.

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Temporary Traffic Lights!

Posted in Roads on Wednesday April 2, 2008| 11 Comments »

Can anyone help?

How long have the temporary traffic lights been on the B5056, just past Bradbourne Mill. I am sure they must have been up at least 6 months, any ideas on how we can get the work moving? Also have you noticed how much the road has slipped returning from Ashbourne just past The Bentley Brook, it must be a couple of inches (5 cms) and they only patched that again recently.

(update 3/4/08 – I have reported it to DCC – they have to report back – may take several weeks just for this to happen – see comments below for more details)

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Speed Limit change on B5056

Posted in News, Out & About, Roads, Transport on Friday January 18, 2008| Leave a Comment »

I went to Matlock on Tuesday and when I returned I saw that the speed limit had changed on the B5056, it is now down to 50 mph an hour. Remember this is the road that runs from Bentley Brook to the Hollybush, past Longcliffe.

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