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Search forCampaign to cut A46 speed limit
Wednesday, December 03, 2008, 14:08
Politicians say the Highways Agency is turning a deaf ear to demands for action over the A46 at Swainswick, where there has been a string of accidents in recent years.
The message from senior councillors over Hartley Bends was: "How many accidents will it take before we get some action?".
The campaign has been launched on the day after another vehicle crashed into the gate of a home near the bend.
Resident Jan Mckenty said she and her husband were fed up with people ploughing into their gate.
She said the latest incident meant they would have to buy a new gate.
She said: "There have been so many incidents and the gate is now a write-off.
"We are constantly having to foot the bill and the Highways Agency don't seem to want to do anything about it.
"We want a barrier on our side of the road but they are not prepared to do it."
The latest death there came in July, when a 53-year-old man from Bath was killed in a head-on collision.
Between 2004 and 2007 there were 20 incidents on the twisting section of road, where there is currently a 50mph limit, including at least two death crashes.
The limit had been lowered from 60mph in 2002 but local councillors now want it reduced again - to 40mph.
They say they have received a "dismissive" response from the Government agency to their call for the speed limit cut, new crash barriers to protect homes and the installation of an anti-slip road surface.
The agency said in a letter that a barrier would be "an obstacle" and that there would only be "limited" resurfacing work.
Veteran councillor Ian Dewey (Con, Bathavon North) said he wanted dramatic action to straighten out the road.
"I don't know how many accidents it will take before the Highways Agency properly addresses the problems on the A46. This is the main route to the motorway from Bath and it is essentially a country lane. I would favour the Highways Agency taking serious action and re-aligning the road to remove the sharp bends.
"Anti-slip surfaces and warnings for drivers will help, but major steps need to be taken to make this road safer and soon."
Fellow Conservative politician for the area Cllr Martin Veal has called on the agency to send an official to join him in visiting the stretch of road.
He said there should at the very least be flashing warning signs in the area.
"The A46 has seen too many tragic accidents and near-misses over the past year.
"Action needs to be taken urgently by the Highways Agency to address these issues, but I have to say that I have been rather disappointed with their response so far.
"Motorists needs to be warned of the dangerous corners on the A46 and neighbouring houses need to be protected. I sincerely hope that my offer of visiting the site is taken up."
These views are also echoed by Swainswick Parish Council which has been working for years to have the speed limit reduced.
Clerk Pat Shutter said: "It is a very dangerous road and people are always running into each other and having accidents.
"The signs don't make a difference and it is a question of people ignoring those signs.
"More needs to be done."
The campaign is being backed by Bath and North East Somerset Council's cabinet member for transport Cllr Charles Gerrish (Con, Keynsham North).
"Although these roads are trunk roads and therefore under the control of the Highways Agency and not the council, I support these calls for improved safety measures totally. The Conservatives in B&NES are putting a lot of money into road safety and it is important that highways which aren't under our control are constantly reviewed also."
A spokesman for the agency could comment in detail on the organisation's plans.
But he said: "The Highways Agency takes safety very seriously and will look into any concerns raised."
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