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Werrington: Safety plea over 'danger' junction



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Published Date: 11 November 2008
By Kirsten Beacock
"CONFUSING" and "unsafe" is the verdict of three Werrington councillors on a well-known accident blackspot.
Werrington North councillors John and Judy Fox and Steve Lane visited Staniland Way at its junction with David's Lane, Werrington, to call for traffic measures to be introduced.

This followed the latest traffic incident, the third in a week, at the triangle-shaped junction.

Cllr Judy Fox said: "There is clearly a problem here. People come tearing up the parkway at 60mph-plus, and then sweep along David's Lane at similar speeds, as the mentality seems to be they can still drive fast.

"We need to make it safer for the road users and residents of Werrington, and we need to improve this junction now, before someone is seriously maimed, or even killed."

Cllr Lane added: "The success of Tesco at the Werrington Centre has led to an increase in vehicles using this junction, and when there are new shops at the Werrington Centre, there will be a further increase."

And the councillors claim it's not just the parkway end of David's Lane, suffering from extra traffic.

Cllr Fox added: "We appreciate that with the proposed development of the Werrington Centre improvements will be made to accommodate the increase of traffic usage, such as a possible roundabout at the junction, but we feel that we should be looking into how we can improve it now."

Calls for changes to the junction were first made in 2007 after three people were injured in a collision on David's Lane close to the roundabout with the Paston Parkway.

Even though no one was seriously injured, a fire crew had to cut a passenger free from the wreckage of one of the vehicles.

Councillor John Fox said: "David's Lane in this area needs some form of traffic calming.

"Where this accident happened, there is a sweeping bend, and if the corner is taken too fast a driver can lose control.

"A reduction in the speed limit would be the best thing, but, failing that, speed activated signs could be used."

Peterborough City Council's traffic manager Peter Tebb said: "At present, the number of collisions at this junction is small and there have been four minor collisions in the last three years.

"As a result, there are no plans to make alterations to this junction at the present time."

The full article contains 396 words and appears in Peterborough ET newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 11 November 2008 12:20 PM
  • Source: Peterborough ET
  • Location: Peterborough
 
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Roger LeChat,

Whittlesey 11/11/2008 12:55:24
It is almost impossible to take this bend at the speed limit of 40mph coming off the parkway, given there is actually a junction prior to this one. The real problem is the frustration of the drivers coming out of Staniland Way having to wait for prolonged periods of time and deciding to pull out in front of vehicles on Davids lane. Don't let the councillors fool you the cause of this problem lies well and truely at their doorstep, permission was given for Tesco to take over the Rainbow store without due consideration to increased traffic volume using the junction. How many times do the planning committee bow to business concerns over those of the local residents, when granting operating licences in residential areas
2

woodcote,

werrington 11/11/2008 12:56:58
This junction has caused some drivers problems for 25 years.

Funding from Tesco as part of its agreement with the city council could be used to create a roundabout or some sort of engineering solution

However, it always depends on how carefully and well people drive. At the moment many can't deal with the existing junction.
3

Roger LeChat,

Whittlesey 11/11/2008 13:03:27
Talking of accident blackspots how about sorting the parkway roundabout out to stop HGV's falling over, next time it could be falling onto a car that didn't crash at the other junction
4

Bodie,

11/11/2008 14:43:32
There should have been a roundabout built there in the first place, not that ridiculous triangular affair. It always has been and always will be dangerous.

As for posting 3 above, the only reason a HGV topples over on a roundabout is because it is driven too fast. Basic laws of centrifugal force and gravity apply.
5

GJH,

11/11/2008 15:22:49
I drive past this junction twice a day, and I concur with Roger LeChat. The only problems I've experienced are with cars coming out of Staniland Way. Either by sticking their nose out into David's Lane, or not fully crossing the road while queuing for the parkway roundabout.

Because of the latter, and the increased volume of traffic due to the new dual carriageway section (and resulting increased approach speeds), an extra mini-roundabout will only make this worse. If people can't fathom how the triangle works, the lane ethics of two roundabouts in quick succession will only amplify the issue.
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Roger LeChat,

Whittlesey 11/11/2008 19:11:18
As for posting 3 above, the only reason a HGV topples over on a roundabout is because it is driven too fast. Basic laws of centrifugal force and gravity apply.

Yes Bodie...but it is still happening. The only reason there are accidents at the other junction is because people cannot wait until it is safe to pull out.

So as you were saying...it is not the junctions which are at fault...it's the drivers..in both instances..simple laws of stupidity apply
7

Alibi,

Werrington 11/11/2008 22:07:24
I have travelled past the junction twice recently after dark and there has not been one street light on from the parkway roundabout right round Davids Lane to the first set of traffic lights with Hodgson Avenue.
The junction was in complete darkness on both occasions.
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Fenland Mike,

12/11/2008 07:48:08
@Alibi

If you look carefully in your car you will find a switch which turns the lights on. These will project white light forward from your car and show red light at the back. This will allow you to see other cars in the dark and allow them to see you.

Failing that eat more carrots, but if you're going to buy your carrots from Tesco be careful getting there, apparently the road can be a bit dangerous!
9

Bodie,

12/11/2008 11:58:33
RogerLeChat. Your posting 3 -"How about sorting the parkway roundabout out to stop HGV's falling over" implies it is the roundabout that is causing them to fall over, hence my posting thereafter ! A roundabout is an inanimate object and cannot make HGV's fall over. It would seem that you agreed with me latterly though.
10

Daniel C,

Werrington 12/11/2008 12:13:38
FENLAND MIKE, firstly be nice to ALIBI. I happen to know what he/she is on about as I live in Werrington near to that junction. When you are used to it being illuminated to then having no street lights the vison ahead drops right down to a few meters in front.
Secondly I have seen no end of crashes at that junction, yes some of the accidents are down to poor driving and speed, but some can be genuine accidents. I know on a couple of occassions I will be coming off the round-a-bout and my left indicator will not cancel. Now to someone waiting at the junction they will think I'll be doing a left when really I intend to carry on. Luckly this hasn't led to a crash, but it's something people to need to consider, but keep the speed down and everyone should be safe. Maybe it would be worth changing this to a straight T junction, with lights instead of a triangle that no one seems to understand.
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