Pedestrians...
We suggested that pedestrians signs at either end of the
village to help warn drivers about the narrow footway might
help.
Highways said...
"The pedestrians sign to diagram 544.1 would not be
appropriate given that Hill Chorlton already has a footway."
Actually the individual who made this comment has a
short memory. On his first - and only - visit to Hill
Chorlton he was nearly flattened by a low loader carrying an
earthmover while standing on the pavement outside Croft
Farm. |
We photographed this sign on the A525
in Audlem, less than 8 miles from Hill Chorlton where there
is also a narrow footway alongside a main road. Or are the
Highways regulations different in Cheshire...? We don't
think so...!
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Concealed entrances...
Concealed entrances are a big danger
in Hill Chorlton to residents and
drivers alike. We suggested an exclamation mark sign at
either end of the village with a plate saying "Emerging
Vehicles".
Highways said...
"Also ‘emerging vehicles’ is not a permitted sub plate with
sign to diagram 562 (exclamation mark)." | >
Well in which case it looks like
Shropshire Highways are going to be in dead trouble. We
photographed this sign outside Ellesmere on the B5068.
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Cattle Crossings...
We pointed out that the cattle crossing at the brow of
the hill between Hill Chorlton and Kennels Lane seemed to
have been missed by the surveyor. That's assuming he even
got out of his car...!
Highways said...
"Evidence of a cattle crossing on the carriageway (mud &
debris etc) has not been observed and also from discussions
between Engineers from Staffordshire Highways and the farmer
this was not raised."
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View Larger Map
You can see the cattle crossing on the
satellite picture on Google Maps. They didn't even need to
leave their desks to see it...!
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Signs in hedgerows...
We pointed out that new signs were being put in places
where hedges and trees were likely to obscure them. And that
tractor mounted flail cutters have a problem with cutting
around signs.
Highways said...
"Regarding the maintenance of hedgerows and
vegetation cutting, it is possible to cut hedges without the
use of a tractor-mounted flail and we have an ongoing
monitoring and inspection programme with full time Highways
inspectors who will endeavour to ensure all signs along the
route are visible to motorists."
That'd be that wussy thing from B&Q you
use to trim your privet hedge, would it?
|
So why put a brand new sign right behind a tree? Wait until
the Spring and you'll hardly be able to see it. Legally it's
the landowner's duty to keep the signs visible. So next
year expect to see hedgecutting contractors jumping off
their 4x4 tractors with shears to cut around the roadsigns....
yeah, right..!
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Highways
said...
"The focus of this project is the reduction
of motorcyclist casualties, any existing roadside furniture
which is superfluous has been removed as metal posts at the
side of the road provide an obvious hazard to motorcyclists.
Where appropriate we have used innovative “passive” posts
which are designed to yield under impact rather than remain
erect like traditional metal posts."
|
...and biker blight.
Apparently, traditional
metal signposts are, a greater hazard to motorcyclists than
is their own stupidity.
It does seem rather strange that bikers now have a higher
priority than residents who pay their taxes and spend years
trying to make the road a better safer place.
Erm.... bikers... young men in the Highways department?
Britain's Best Biker Routes... Surely...not! It
can't be true... CAN IT?! |
In response to concerns we raised in August
2007...
Highways
said...
"The surface appears to be in very good condition and has
been recently surface dressed, perhaps 2 or 3 years ago."
The workmen said...
"They probably never even got out of their car." |
Barely two years later the road is
expensively ripped up and replaced under the Motorcycle
Casualty Reduction Project.
Evidently a surface which is considered "very good" for the
rest of us is considered not good enough for a biker doing
100mph. |
On the
speed limit review....
Highways said...
Err.... nothing...!
When asked for a copy of
their plans by email...
Highways said...
"Should you wish the scheme drawings are available to be
viewed by prior arrangement at Riverway, where the details
can be explained?"
|
Getting
information out of Highways, or getting them to engage in a
meaningful consultation is a bit like looking for hen's
teeth. NOBODY is going to trail down to Stafford and make an
appointment to look at plans - and they know that.
If you want to know what Cheshire West and Chester are doing
about their speed limit review you
just look on their website
where you'll find all the details of how far they've got all
up for comment.
To put plans and consultation documents on their website -
like other county councils do - would cost them next to
nothing. It would show some commitment to openness and
constructive public consultation. And if people didn't check
them out and make their views known they'd only have
themselves to blame. |
