We are starting a new competition on the blog – how many sets of temporary traffic lights can you go through between Parwich and your destination. I will start the bidding at 5 this morning on the way from Parwich to Sainsburys in Ashbourne. Can anyone top that?
Archive for the ‘Roads’ Category
Temporary traffic light competition
Posted in Roads on Wednesday March 11, 2009| 6 Comments »
Emergency Vehicles Getting Lost in Parwich village
Posted in First Responders, Roads, Services on Wednesday December 17, 2008| 4 Comments »
As you are probably aware many of us have the names of our houses as addresses, and rarely use the street name (if it exists). A village map is in the process of being produced, and it is hoped that when this is sited in the village it will help visitors find their way around. This process is well underway and we look forward to its completion.
However in the interim there have been difficulties for emergency vehicles trying to find addresses in the village. Recently we had a fire engine and the senior fire officer up here at Gibbons Bank by mistake looking for Monsdale Lane.
Today the emergency ambulance needed help finding a house which had made a 999 call. The emergency services have asked for our help – especially with the festive season coming up.
As a temporary solution permission has been given to site a copy of the First Responders village map on a board on the roadside near to the south entrance to the village, next to the drive to Stephen Dale’s yard. We hope this will meet with the village’s approval.
However if anyone is unhappy about this, or has any alternative better solutions to the problem, we are more than happy to reconsider. Do please ring us on 390 529 or add comments to this blog entry.
Here’s to a healthy trouble-free Christmas (or is that an oxymoron?)
Season’s Greetings from Jean and Martin Compton, on behalf of Parwich First Responders
The not so temporary traffic lights – further thoughts.
Posted in 2008, Opinion, Posts of Note, Roads on Monday December 8, 2008| 2 Comments »
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… (more…)
Road safety night at the Bluebell.
Posted in Events, Roads, Transport on Monday October 6, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Shirley’s Driving School are hosting a road safety event at 7:30pm on Tuesday (October 7th) at the Bluebell Inn, on the A515 at Tissington.
The event is open to past and present pupils, their parents, and pupils and parents from any other driving schools.
There will be a talk from Ashbourne fire service, chips and a raffle.
Unsurfaced Rural Routes – Minninglow Lane
Posted in Ballidon, Peak Park, Roads on Tuesday September 16, 2008| 1 Comment »
The Peak District National Park Authority are developing management plans for unsurfaced rural routes. None of our local routes are to be included in the first wave, but it is planned that Minninglow Lane will be considered relatively soon. To find out more either go to www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/vehicles or read their full press release below: (more…)
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?
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.
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?
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?
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.
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)
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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