On 17th June in the early hours of the morning a motorist travelling down Rectory Road went into the railings at the junction of Rectory Road and Wiltshire Road causing significant damage to the railings, which had just been repaired after the previous incident occurring at the same junction a few months prior. This is now the third incident in the last six months and seventh in the last few years. When a question was asked previously at Full Council the response given was "the absence of information about individual collisions means that it is not possible to identify factors that may have contributed to the recent spate of incidents." Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, the motorist in this latest incident neither remained at the site of the accident, nor reported they were responsible for the damage. So, can I please ask, what measures are the Council going to take to ensure safety at this junction so that all road users go round the bend rather than through the railings?
Minutes:
On 17th June in the early hours of the morning a motorist travelling down Rectory Road went into the railings at the junction of Rectory Road and Wiltshire Road causing significant damage to the railings, which had just been repaired after the previous incident occurring at the same junction a few months prior. This is now the third incident in the last six months and seventh in the last few years. When a question was asked previously at Full Council the response given was "the absence of information about individual collisions means that it is not possible to identify factors that may have contributed to the recent spate of incidents." Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, the motorist in this latest incident neither remained at the site of the accident, nor reported they were responsible for the damage. So, can I please ask, what measures are the Council going to take to ensure safety at this junction so that all road users go round the bend rather than through the railings?
Answer
Thank you Emma for your question. We understand your concerns about the safety of road users at this location and the need for measures to prevent further accidents.
As we had previously reported through a Council question from Councillor Burgess and correspondence with a local resident that, without information about the individual collisions, it is difficult for the Council to determine what the causes for the incidents are and, therefore, the appropriate course of action that could be taken.
Any action that we do take must be appropriate and proportionate. Introducing unnecessary changes to the layout to resolve an issue of driver error may have significant and possibly detrimental impact during other periods. Any changes we do make will be deliberate, but also done in a phased approach.
We have reviewed all the lining and signing at this location and have introduced new SLOW carriageway markings on the approaches to the junction. Since the last incident we have investigated at the location where the vehicles are coming off the road and are planning to introduce chevron signs on the fences, subject to the owner’s permission. We will also be looking at the kerbing at the point where these vehicles have been leaving the road as it would appear the former driveway was not raised as part of the development. Raising these kerbs may help and we will look to resolve this as soon as possible with the landowner.
The Council is committed to ensuring the safety of all road users, and we do take this matter seriously. We will work diligently to implement appropriate measures to help try to address the recurring accidents at the junction and aim to prevent further incidents.
Supplementary Question:
If the chevrons are found not to be successful, and obviously there is a concern from the residents, not just for road users but also pedestrians particularly school children and residents from the development, and others that walk along past it, can I have your commitment that you would be prepared to meet with the residents and I to discuss further options, along with Technical Officers from your Highways Team?
Supplementary Answer:
Yes, I certainly will do.