With the Diamond Jubilee and now the Olympics, June 14th, when I posted about accidents on Red Road in Lightwater, seems an absolute age away now. Speedicus Maximus questioned [see blog comments] what actions are being taken to reduce road accidents, subsequent to the recent accidents.
I’m pleased to say that action is being taken. I learned that there’s a Surrey Heath Road Safety Working Group which meets twice a year, comprising Surrey County Council engineers from both the Area Office and the Road Safety team, together with specialist Road Safety Officers from Surrey Police.
Our police Inspector Martin Goodwin forwarded my report on the missing Red Road traffic signs, which I’d presented to him, to the police road safety team in the Working Party. Perhaps it helped. I hope so.
In a recent email, from Surrey County Council Highways team, about the situation, it contained this positive information.
“The Working Group has continued to monitor the accidents in Red Road, …. While overall accident rates have fluctuated, there has been a clear reduction in accidents through the series of bends. However, among the recent accidents a number have involved westbound traffic. In response to this finding, Surrey County Council’s Road Safety team is funding the introduction of the following additional measures this financial year [2012/13]:
- A new Vehicle Activated Sign on the westbound approach to the bends, supplementing the existing VAS on the eastbound approach.
- Installation of additional chevron signs on high visibility yellow backing boards on the westbound approach to the bends.
The speed limit on Red Road has also recently been reviewed, and a reduction from national speed limit (60mph) to 50mph has been agreed. Subject to the completion of statutory processes, it is anticipated that the new speed limit will be place by the end of 2012.”
Let’s hope that these measures influence driver behaviour and improve safety on Red Road. The Working Group has committed to monitor accidents and introduce further safety improvements where appropriate.
Finally, I’ll make every effort to attend the next Surrey Heath Local Area Committee, Thurs 18th October 2102, to seek an update on these planned actions. In fact, I’ll write to the committee requesting an update to be given at the meeting.
Many thanks – a move in the right direction indeed …. however, I guess we will have to use the ‘Elephants can be eaten’ approach to achieve more for pedestrian safety, and the traffic flow at the RR & MacDonald road junction.
Perhaps our illustrious County Councillor will volunteer for Traffic Management duties there?
By: Speedicus Maximus on August 4, 2012
at 9:35 am
One new VAS sign, a couple of Chevron signs and a possible (probable) blanket speed reduction effecting safe areas upto a mile away. Doesn’t seem that they’ve put very much effort in there!
So what about the existing 40mph limit in place Eastbound? It starts before the S bends but isn’t “reset” before the Gordon Boys roundabout exits. IHMO this should be reset, to the National limit (60mph), after the McDonald road junction. I really don’t see any need to reduce the current limit between the Gordon boys roundabout and the MacDonald road junction as all junctions along this stretch are very well sighted. This unnecessary speed limit extension a.k.a “creep” really annoys me… grrr!
I also note that the worn/faded paint on the central line/s through the S bends hasn’t been renewed and they aren’t considering adding edging arrows. It seems to me that as usual they’re far more interested in slowing people down in the safe sections and than actually making the dangerous section safer (sigh).
By: Mark on August 11, 2012
at 2:02 pm
There isnt an ‘Eastbound 40mph limit’ that I’m aware of – are you assuming that the VAS ‘advisory’ limit displayed as you approach the S’s and I think repeated just before the MacDonald Road junction is permanent?
By: Speedicus Maximus on August 12, 2012
at 8:26 am
About 100yrds before the first Eastbound VAS there’s a big sign indicating 40mph and dangerous bends. There’s a 2nd VAS after the bends before the MacDonald road junction. So what is the Eastbound speed limit from the MacDonald Road junction to the Gordon boys roundabout? Westbound it’s definitely 60mph. Actually can a road legally have different limit in each direction? Logically I don’t see why not as certainly some bends and indeed whole sections of road are more dangerous in one direction than the other.
By: Mark on August 12, 2012
at 8:23 pm
Did some more research. The big 40 sign is in fact an advisory limit, the VAS signs “advise” if you’re exceeding 40mph. As it is above/incorporated over a “double bends” symbol, the advisory limit applies for the duration of the bends. The the legal limit is still 60mph. I’d suggest that the legal limit for the S bends section should be set to 40mph in both directions and reset to national speed limit at the safe sections i.e. beyond the MacDonald Road Junction Eastbound and up the straight partof the hill Westbound.
By: Mark on August 13, 2012
at 6:10 pm
The whole road will be 50mph limit later this year – except for the Advisory 40 covering the Bends as I stated on 12Aug12 …. I’d still prefer to see the Monies spent on things like a mini-roundabout @ the MacDonald Rd junction, and improved footpaths and sightlines for those using the Kissing Gates ….
By: Speedicus Maximus on August 14, 2012
at 8:24 am
That is a very disappointing solution. Reduce the speed limit of the 75%+ of a safe section of road and do nothing new or different to the dangerous part!
As usual the anti car lobby win over common sense
By: Mark on August 18, 2012
at 10:39 am