Work on London Road safety improvements starts

[14/01/05 - B&NES]

WORK to improve the safety of a busy road in Bath will start next week (from Monday, January 17, weather permitting).

Following a number of accidents involving outbound vehicles turning right across queuing traffic coming into the city along the London Road in Bath, some of the existing yellow boxes along the route are to be extended.

During busy times of the day, queuing traffic using the inbound lane on the London Road makes it difficult for outbound vehicles to turn right into Kensington Place, Grosvenor Place or Grosvenor Bridge Road. This manoeuvre not only involves crossing the queuing traffic, but also the bus lane.

There have been a number of accidents involving vehicles turning right, off the London Road and vehicles using the bus lane, due to the limited visibility between the drivers of each vehicle. Cycles and motorcycles approaching in the bus lane are particularly vulnerable as they are less conspicuous than a taxi or bus.

Early in 2004 Bath & North East Somerset Council introduced yellow boxes at the side road junctions, to create larger gaps in the queuing traffic, and also to highlight the position of side roads, and the consequent possibility of turning vehicles for drivers approaching in the bus lane.

Although this did improve the situation, accidents have continued to occur. Therefore some of the yellow boxes are to be extended, and temporary signs put up for a period of six months to remind drivers to keep the yellow boxes clear, as required in the Highway Code. A speed camera is also to be installed next to the bus lane at Grosvenor Place.

Residents of London Road have already been leafleted with advice to be extra vigilant when turning across the bus lane or driving along London Road.

Cllr Sir Elgar Jenkins, Executive Member for Transport & Highways, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is undertaking these measures to improve the safety of people who live alongside this busy road and those who use it. We would urge people to be extremely careful when driving on or crossing this road.”

To coincide with these new safety measures, Bath & North East Somerset Council asks that:

a) Drivers/riders in the bus lane should observe the speed limit and be especially careful on the approach to the yellow boxes where they can expect vehicles to turn across their path.

b) Drivers inbound on the London Road should keep the yellow boxes clear at all times, to allow the maximum visibility between drivers/riders in the bus lane and those turning.

c) Drivers turning right across the bus lane should ensure the bus lane is clear and keep a special look out for motor cycles or pedal cycles.

This advice note has been prepared by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Traffic & Safety Team in collaboration with the Police, local Councillors and the London Road Area Residents Association.

The work will be done outside peak hours with very localised traffic management in the vicinity of each yellow box.