Thursday 29 May 2008

The large bend on Gerard Street


Walking down Gerard Street recently I couldn't help notice the new road layout in front of Boardman's shop. I was surprised at how far the new pavement encroached into the road. I was concerned that it would be difficult for two large vehicles to pass each other - especially as this was a new road layout and motorists would not be used to it. So a couple of days ago I expressed my concerns to Wigan Council and I am glad to see the following measure are being taken. The contractors are going to:

1) immediately pull the new kerb-line back 0.5m to provide a wider margin for error. This will provide more than sufficient room for two buses / HGVs to pass unimpeded.

2) immediately re-paint the centre line into its new position - following site visits, it was felt that the existing centre line may be a contributory factor to drivers getting their positioning wrong with relation to the new built-out.

3) install further bollards at the start of the build-out to visually guide vehicles around the corner and prevent them from mounting of the footway.

4) install advance warning signs - temporary 'new road layout ahead' and 'narrow road ahead' warning signs.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are right to be concerned that it would be difficult for two large vehicles to pass each other.
One two occasions I have witnessed the situation of two full size articulated trucks actually being unable to pass each other at the cusp of the bend.
Good to see that corrective action is being taken quickly, but how could the contractors and designers get it so fundamentally wrong in the first place?
It's not rocket science to work out the width of road needed, in relation to the radius of a bend, to enable large vehicles to pass each other.

Anonymous said...

I thought it was only me that could see this disaster happening.IT JUST MAKES ME MORE SURE THAT THE PERSON IN CHARGE AT WIGAN HIGHWAYS DOESE NOT DRIVE AND HAS PROBABLY NEVER EVEN BEEN TO ASHTON I'VE SAID IT ALL ALONG ASHTON THE AR-- H-LE OF WIGAN MBC. A child of 4 could forsee this and last Friday their was a close call when a car going up met a HGV head on and smoke flew.
MR ASH WHY HAVE THE PEOPLE OF ASHTON NOT BEEN TOLD OF THE PROPOSED ONE WAY SYSTEM UP GERARD STREET WHILST WORK GOESE ON AGAIN IT WILL BE IN THE LOCAL FREE PAPER THAT 60% OF ASHTON PEOPLE DONT GET

Anonymous said...

Who will pay for the cock up not Wigan MBC i bet

Anonymous said...

NIGAL . AS USUAL NO BLAME ! TECHNICAL/COMPUTER FAULT NO DOUBT ? WE JUST PAY FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT CALLED WB COUNCIL TAX AND NO JOB LOSS

Anonymous said...

NIGAL NO CONTEST ! SEE MY COMMENT TO YOU REGARDING THE GRAND TRAFFIC PLAN FOR ASHTON 15 & 17 June
I would not hold your breath at your next election !!! because of a computer error ????????????? ,its a Pity you belong to STAGNET Council Chamber. Your personal efforts / intentions for Ashton are honourable