Click
Click
Click
Focus on Wetherby Road
Wetherby Road speeding issues; Where now?
Wetherby Road VAS
The minutes of last week’s transport meeting suggest that the Council will not trial the use of signs which display the actual speed that vehicles are travelling.
We think that this is a missed opportunity. The signs have had some success when used elsewhere in the country.
On Wetherby Road the Council will consider further whether to reduce the speed limit, between the A1237 and the start of the built up area, to 40 mph.
We doubt this will have much effect.
It was tried on Askham Lane with the intention of slowing traffic before it reached the 30 mph signs. On Askham Lane vehicles entering the City also faced a mini roundabout and then speed cushions, but still some vehicles travel too fast for safety.
The simple fact is that most people driving in a rural unlit environment believe that the national speed limit is in operation.
The Council still plans to install cycle lanes on Wetherby Road. It is claimed that these will “focus” drivers attention on the road and make them more aware of speed.
We doubt that the lanes will have any effect on habitual speeders.
One suggested change, which could prove very dangerous, is a plan to remove the centre line from the road. Centre lines, and cats eyes, are an important point of reference for drivers particularly during periods of heavy rain or in foggy conditions.
We hope that this aspect of the Councils plan – at least – will be quietly dropped.
The proposals are now subject to public consultation .
NB. We expect the Council now to replace the faulty speed warning sign which was located on the outward lane of the road
Where next with flashing speed signs?
The Council says it is reviewing the use of Vehicle Activated Signs.
These signs, which typically flash the prevailing speed limit to approaching vehicles, were introduced in York about 10 years ago.
Flashing speed sign locations indicating those that are faulty
York locations where speed is a concern Click to enlarge
They are now seen across the country with many now using a system which alerts drivers to their actual speed.
Sadly the Council has not maintained the signs in York and several have not been working for many months.
Those that are faulty include the sign on Wetherby Road on the outbound carriageway. This was a problem location with the blind bend making it potentially hazardous for drivers reversing into their driveways.
A report to a meeting next week identifies £50,000 which will be used to repair the faulty signs. The signs have had some success as anyone, who watches vehicles approaching an illuminated sign, will often see brake lights being applied by speeding drivers.
List of street where layout changes are proposed. Click to enlarge
We think that a trial, where the actual speed of the vehicle is displayed, should be implemented in the City.
There is also now a “smart” sign available which records the actual speed of passing vehicles (but not the identity) which would give traffic engineers valuable information about behaviours but without the need to set up special equipment.
Another concern is the suggestion that the signs may only be used where an accident has been reported in the previous three years.
Whereas accident locations should get priority for signs and camera enforcement, we believe that sites where a significant proportion of vehicles exceed the 30 mph limit, would also justify maintenance of the signs.
The report proposes action to reduce speeding at 16 sites. Most involve low cost lane marking changes. A complete list of detailed proposals for all locations can be viewed by clicking here
A list of sites to be reassessed – which includes Green Lane and Askham Lane – can be viewed by clicking here
There are three roads – including Moor Lane in Woodthorpe and two roads in Copmanthorpe – which have acknowledged speeding issues which have still to be addressed
Wetherby Road
At Wetherby Road officials propose the introduction of cycle lanes.
They don’t claim that there are large numbers of cyclists using this section of the highway (a new off road route for cyclists linking Rufforth was opened recently) but they claim that lanes – and the removal of central markings – would prompt drivers to be more cautious.
We have our doubts about that.
As a minimum, we would like to see the area added to the rota of visits by the Police speed camera van.
The faulty speed warning sign also needs to be repaired quickly.
Wetherby Road proposed highway layout changes click to enlarge
Wetherby Road traffic speeds – residents act
As we have reported before, residents are becoming irritated by the large proportion of drivers who are activating the 30 mph warning signs.
There have been no police checks on speeds for several years with the road excluded from the list of mobile camera sites.
A few weeks ago the Police launched their self help speed monitor but it is a time consuming and often ineffective way of controlling speeds.
There is a particular problem on Wetherby Road as residents need to reverse into their driveways and visibility is limited.
The Council has made provision in its budget to refresh the flashing Vehicle Activated Signs but when this will happen remains to be seen.
Meanwhile more basic signs have appeared on the road.
Wetherby Road VAS
Wetherby Road footpaths works from 2nd March
Wetherby Road footpath being reconstructed, click to enlarge
The City of York Council will start work week commencing 2nd March 2015 to reconstruct the footway shown on the plan left.
This scheme is programmed to take 5 weeks, weather permitting.
The work consists of fully excavating the footway and reconstructing from the ground up in tarmac, new pin kerbs are to be installed to the rear of the footway and selected road kerbs are to be replaced.
The Contractor carrying out the work will be City of York Council’s Highways department who are responsible for safety and for providing access while the work is ongoing.
The contractor will be working between 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday to Thursday, and 9:00am to 12:30pm on Fridays.
Residents have been offered a discounted extension or new vehicle crossing if constructed as part of this scheme. Anyone wishing to take advantage of this offer should telephone 01904 553130 before construction commences.
Existing vehicle crossing are to be reconstructed to current dimensions.
Bollards
Nearby, the we have reported the damaged illuminated bollard on the approach to the roundabout as requiring attention.
It is one of several bollards which should be illuminated as an aid to road safety,
Unlit bollard poses safety risk at night
but which have been faulty for several weeks.
Missing 20 mph sign on Briar Avenue. Other signs requiring attention are ignored by Council (Click to enlarge)
We think this sort of work should have a higher priority for the Council than putting up unnecessary 20 mph signs at the entrance to short cul de sacs.
The ones on Briar Avenue (right) have already been vandalised.
Focus newsletter – new Front Street/Wetherby Road edition published
Page 1 click to enlarge
Pages 2 and 3 click to enlarge
Focus page 4 click to enlarge
39% of drivers on Wetherby Road exceeding 30 mph speed limit
It is over a year since the Police stopped using cameras to monitor traffic speeds on Wetherby Road in York,
The section of the road falling between the Ridgeway/Beckfield Lane junction and the end of the built up area, is notorious for problems with speeding.
The man difficulty arises for residents seeking to leave their driveways with an awkward bend reducing visibility.
About 8 years ago the Council installed flashing signs which illuminate when a passing vehicle exceeds the 30 mph limit.
It is probably time for these to be modernised with the type which shows the actual speed of the vehicle.
In a sample check of vehicle speeds on the road taken this week, 39% of those entering the City triggered the sign. This is slightly higher than a similar survey found (38%) in 2011.
On the outbound carriageway, 31% were found to be exceeding the speed limit. In 2011, 42% were exceeding the limit on the same section of road.
We think that it is time for the police to recommence their camera checks in the area.
Traveller (Gypsy) and Showmans Yard York locations revealed
Proposed traveller site on Wetherby Road
Despite a crude attempt by the Council to disguise their true intentions it has become clear that the site for a duplex 30 pitch traveller (gypsy) caravan site is on Wetherby Road. Ref GT1 on the above map.
Local Plan extract click to access
The Council referred to the location as “Moor Lane”.
The site is located halfway between the edge of the City and Rufforth and is near the Harewood Whin waste disposal site.
It is the field that was to have become a salvage and reuse centre when the Beckfield Lane recycling centre closed. That project was jettisoned by the Council’s Labour administration in 2012 and it is now clear that they had other plans for the area.
Many residents will be concerned that there has been no consultation about these proposals which were omitted from last years document.
In the revised Local Plan the proposed “Showman’s Yard” site has been moved from Wetherby Road to Elvington with a note added saying that any other capacity could be provided on industrial estates.
New Askham Lane/Wetherby Road Focus published
Page 1 click to enlarge
Pages 2 and 3 click to enlarge
Page 4 click to enlarge
Solar farm planned for Knapton Moor
Solar Farm site click to enlarge
1.8 hectares of land off Wetherby Road (Site 772) could be turned into a solar farm. The area of land is located near to Harewood Whin.
The Council report indicates what criteria have to be met by these farms which generate electricity from solar panels (similar in principle to those now found on many household roofs).
They are not as controversial as wind farms, being silent and relatively unobtrusive. Security at the sites is high though.
Similar sites are planned for Malton Road and Towthorpe