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Dangerous junction at Old Cornmill Road/N4 slip

Proposed Safety Works at L1018 & Kew Park Merge to N4


Your input needed. Deadline for submissions 11:59pm Thursday 3rd October



The PDF of proposals are attached below:



I would recommend that people make a submission on these proposals. A number of residents have suggested that the turn onto the N4 slip heading past the Spa Hotel and towards Kew Park and then Weston is quite dangerous. The current proposals try to make this better, but more work is needed.


My submission on the portal is outlined below. I am suggesting a further tightening to what SDCC is proposing.


SDCC Proposal:

My suggestion:



My submission wording:


Dear all,

As you are aware I've raised this safety issue a number of times over the years, including earlier this year. During the presentation of preliminary proposals to Councillors, I expressed serious concerns that while the plan indicated a safer cycle route along the slip, it did not show any proposed to stop drivers having to stretch their necks as they come off the Old Cornmill Road onto the slip.

I suggested that this "rubbernecking" would be a safety issue during periods of darkness or poor visibility, especially during rainfall when car lights might not be on and also with scooters and e-bikes in particular.

So at the outset let me say that the proposals in this public aspect of the consultation are better than what was presented to Councillors. Officials have reflected my concerns to some extent, with a lessening of the curve for drivers. However, this reduction is unfortunately mitigated by the white lined box which has the effect of encouraging drivers to continue to steer their vehicles at a curve and restrict their view towards oncoming bicycles and motorised vehicles coming from the right.

While some people might be aware that such markings allow drivers to enter the white lined box when it is safe to do so, at a lot are unaware of what this means, and most will continue to follow the curve of the outside white line instead.

This means that the risk of vehicles colliding remains high and the introduction of a marked cycleway might encourage drivers to look out for cyclists, but the narrowing of their view angle might mean they won't see bicycles in certain circumstances. The directional markings need to be closer to a right-angle to ensure that drivers stop and look properly before they enter the slipway.

As per the very rough diagram I have attached, there is plenty of space to do this, while also providing the yellow marked box area to facilitate wider vehicles like buses from making the turn without hitting the kerb.

I would ask that a revised professional drawing be made to create a proper junction here, or else we still have a higher risk of someone being seriously injured or killed.

Thanks in advance.

Cllr Paul Gogarty


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I don't have any specific comments on the junction with Kew Park itself but will be keeping an eye out for comments from residents in this regard,


ENDS

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