A35 Speed Reduction/Safety Measures
An update

Work on the “Improvements” started on 26th October 2009.

The following explains what work is being done, why it is being done and some of the issues that remain outstanding.

Firstly what is being done – It is difficult to be accurate as the Highways Agency has recently been somewhat slow in passing on information, but my understanding is that they are “enhancing” the bus stops and “improving” the foot paths (including installing dropped kerbs and tactile paving at crossing points), laying anti-skid surfacing at the crossroads (already done - but see below), improving some road signs and, finally, changing the speed limit to 50mph – although this may not happen for a few months as the formal legalities have still to be done.  (Note:  Dropped kerbs are designed to make it easier for wheelchairs, push chairs etc to cross the road.  Tactile paving is the textured paving slabs that are placed adjacent to the dropped kerbs.  The idea of these is to help the visually impaired find the position of the crossing point as the bumps in the paving are felt under foot.  The dropped kerbs are positioned where the Highways Agency considers it most appropriate to cross the road – see more below).

The shape of the bus stop lay-bys near the Old Inn are being altered slightly to (presumably) comply with current highway standards but as far as I can see the changes are very minor.  The changes to the bus stops at the top of the village, by The Hill, will be more obvious in that the bus stops will be defined by painted lines on the road and new paving on the verges and, on the southern side of the road, a path leading to The Hill.  A further new path is being formed to provide better pedestrian access to the two properties to the west of The Hill.  (This path is a substitute for the one that the Highways Agency originally planned to install joining the two bus stops on the northern side of the A35.)  

New speed limit signs and Village signs (reading Welcome to Kilmington please drive carefully) will be installed.  There will also be 50 (mph) roundels painted on the road surface ate various points along the road. At a later date there should also be a vehicle activated flashing 50mph/Slow sign (or maybe two) but I don’t know where it (they) will be sited or when as they are not being provided or funded by the Highways Agency but by the contractor.

The majority of the work is being done as a result of a survey of the A35/A30/A31 trunk road from Exeter to Southampton undertaken in 2002.  This survey identified and “prioritised” work that was required along that route.  The improvements in Kilmington were not deemed high priority and so are only now being done.  The only new element of the current work, and indeed the only part of it that the Parish Council and village has asked for, is the change in the speed limit.  At the beginning of the year, when they told us about the impending works, the Highways Agency stated that the speed limit would be remaining at 60mph.  It was only as a result of our challenging their accident statistics that they had to concede that the speed limit had to be reduced.

“Why is it taking so long” and “how much is it costing” go hand-in-hand.  It was recently reported that the cost is a staggering £200,000 and I would assume that the bulk of this relates to the paths.  It is presumed that the work has to be done to a particular standard to comply with rules that apply across the country, which inevitable means it takes more time and so more money.  

There are a number of issues about the improvements that the Parish Council have queried.  Firstly we have asked for the anti-skid surface to be extended so that it covers the road in front of the petrol station as that is where many accidents occur.  The Highways Agency has so far refused to do this and indeed they answered the query stating “the extent of the anti-skid was determined by maintenance and operational reasons”. We have asked the Highways Agency to explain what this means.

We have also pointed out that the proposed crossing point near the top bus stops is dangerous (it is positioned down the hill from The Hill and so below the brow meaning visibility will be limited especially for children).  The Highways Agency say that their “Road Safety Audit did not think that this was an issue and so it is not deemed to be a problem”.  (We hope that they are right.)  

In addition, it has been pointed out to the Highways Agency that a number of road safety improvements that were in their presentation to the village earlier this year, and in the joint press release, are now not included in the plans – these include “SLOW” markings painted on the road surface, new signs warning drivers of junctions and pedestrians and “Edge of Carriageway” lining, all of which, we were advised, are designed to reduce speed.  The Highways Agency has simply said these are now “not required” – we have asked why not.   

We have also asked for double white lines leading to and across the junctions but again we have not had a sensible response.  

We have asked the Highways Agency to revert on the various issues – their response is still to be received.  

Hopefully the whole package of works, once completed, will improve safety – that is certainly the intention and expectation.  The Parish Council will nevertheless continue to monitor the work being done and seek to improve safety further but as the Highways Agency only appears to be able to act on adverse statistic our pleas may fall on deaf ears.

David Vickers

The survey forms have been delivered and most of them collected – thank you for taking the time to complete yours.  At the time of writing the results haven’t been analysed but will be in the next couple of weeks.  We received two or three letters on the subject and there were a number on comments made on the forms themselves all of which we are grateful for and which will certainly be taken into account when we consider how to go forward.  The findings and various options will be put to the Parish Council in due course who will decide how we proceed.

David Vickers
Parish Plan Implementation Committee
August 2009

The Highways Agency has finally agreed (at the Annual Parish Meeting in April 2009) to make certain safety improvements to the A35 through the village, including reducing the speed limit.  

It should be noted that as recently as January this year the Highways Agency stated categorically that they would not be changing the speed limit on the A35.  It was only following a considerable amount of research that the Parish Plan Implementation Committee was able to successfully challenge the findings of a report, which had been provided to the Highways Agency by their consultants, that led directly to them conceding that the speed limit had to be reduced.

While the proposed improvements to the A35 do not satisfy all of our concerns, as it will still be difficult and dangerous to cross and join the road, they are a step in the right direction after years of frustration and considerable effort by a large number of people in the village.  The Committee, on behalf of the Parish Council, is nevertheless keen to ensure that the improvements are put in place as soon as possible and are therefore liaising with the Highways Agency and seeking to “monitor” progress.  Before work can start there are a number of formal processes that the Highways Agency must complete including consulting with “interested parties” such as freight transport bodies, police etc.  Although no problems are anticipated we cannot be certain that the proposals will be sanctioned until this process has been completed.  We will keep you informed as to progress.  Once the improvements have been made we will review the safety issues again and if necessary press for additional improvements including a further reduction in the speed limit and possibly a controlled crossing.

Parish Plan Implementation Committee