Train GraphicClick on the map to explore geographics
 
I need help
FAQ
Emergency
About .
Travel & transport from BBC stories as at 12:15 28 Mar 2024
* Man held over stabbing in front of train passengers
- How do I renew my UK passport and what is the 10-year rule?
- Easter travel warning as millions set to hit roads
Read about the forum [here].
Register [here] - it's free.
What do I gain from registering? [here]
 02/06/24 - Summer Timetable starts
17/08/24 - Bus to Imber
27/09/25 - 200 years of passenger trains

On this day
28th Mar (1917)
Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore closed (link)

Train RunningCancelled
10:30 London Paddington to Weston-Super-Mare
10:41 Cardiff Central to London Paddington
11:00 Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington
11:16 London Paddington to Cardiff Central
11:23 Weston-Super-Mare to London Paddington
11:30 London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads
11:50 Cardiff Central to London Paddington
Additional 12:07 Bristol Temple Meads to Gloucester
12:15 London Paddington to Cardiff Central
12:17 Westbury to Swindon
12:30 London Paddington to Weston-Super-Mare
13:00 Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington
13:15 Swindon to Westbury
13:26 Weston-Super-Mare to London Paddington
14:19 Westbury to Swindon
15:14 Swindon to Westbury
Short Run
07:10 Penzance to London Paddington
08:03 London Paddington to Penzance
09:30 Weymouth to Gloucester
10:35 London Paddington to Exeter St Davids
10:55 Paignton to London Paddington
11:12 Salisbury to Bristol Temple Meads
11:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
11:41 Bristol Temple Meads to Salisbury
11:48 London Paddington to Carmarthen
12:03 London Paddington to Penzance
12:12 Salisbury to Bristol Temple Meads
13:03 London Paddington to Plymouth
13:07 Salisbury to Bristol Temple Meads
13:10 Gloucester to Weymouth
16:19 Carmarthen to London Paddington
Delayed
09:04 London Paddington to Plymouth
09:37 London Paddington to Paignton
10:04 London Paddington to Penzance
PollsOpen and recent polls
Closed 2024-03-25 Easter Escape - to where?
Abbreviation pageAcronymns and abbreviations
Stn ComparatorStation Comparator
Rail newsNews Now - live rail news feed
Site Style 1 2 3 4
Next departures • Bristol Temple MeadsBath SpaChippenhamSwindonDidcot ParkwayReadingLondon PaddingtonMelksham
Exeter St DavidsTauntonWestburyTrowbridgeBristol ParkwayCardiff CentralOxfordCheltenham SpaBirmingham New Street
March 28, 2024, 12:30:06 *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Forgotten your username or password? - get a reminder
Most recently liked subjects
[151] West Wiltshire Bus Changes April 2024
[85] would you like your own LIVE train station departure board?
[58] Return of the BRUTE?
[49] If not HS2 to Manchester, how will traffic be carried?
[46] Infrastructure problems in Thames Valley causing disruption el...
[36] Reversing Beeching - bring heritage and freight lines into the...
 
News: A forum for passengers ... with input from rail professionals welcomed too
 
   Home   Help Search Calendar Login Register  
Pages: [1]
  Print  
Author Topic: Worle petition over 'narrow gap' bollards on road bridge over railway  (Read 9998 times)
Chris from Nailsea
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 17865


I am not railway staff


View Profile Email
« on: March 08, 2013, 21:47:15 »

From the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Quote

A petition calling for the removal of the bollards has some 450 signatures

Hundreds of people have signed a petition against the installation of traffic bollards by a Somerset bridge.

Complainants say the gap between the bollards, installed on Moor Lane in Worle to enforce a width and weight restriction, is too narrow.

They were installed last month and some 450 people have signed the petition calling for their removal.

North Somerset Council said it was monitoring the new measures by CCTV (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) and would make adjustments if needed.

The bridge, which takes traffic across the railway line, is enforced with a width restriction and a three tonne weight limit.

The authority said the road and embankments were showing "signs of serious wear and tear" which was being added to by vehicles ignoring the restrictions in place.

It added the newly-installed bollards, which are 7ft (2.1m) apart, and a traffic light system would enforce traffic regulations and protect the road from further deterioration.

The petition claims the bollards are causing damage to vehicles and have isolated the village.
Logged

William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
LiskeardRich
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 3457

richardwarwicker@hotmail.co.uk
View Profile
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2013, 22:07:38 »

That BMW's number plate is badly blanked out.
A 5 series is 1.846m wide, the bollards are allegedly 2.1m, but definitely don't look like the bmw has that much space.
My car is 1.91 wide, so not sure if I would fit looking at the bollards despite being within the permitted dimensions and weight limit.
Logged

All posts are my own personal believes, opinions and understandings!
Chris from Nailsea
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 17865


I am not railway staff


View Profile Email
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2013, 22:13:12 »

Thanks for that useful comment, richwarwicker.  Wink

Local comment is that the official measurement needs to be taken 'wing mirror tip to wing mirror tip', as there is anecdotal evidence that some drivers feel the need to stop before the bollards to fold in their wing mirrors before moving through the obstacle.
Logged

William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
bobm
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 9809



View Profile
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2013, 22:34:55 »

Unlike the unfortunate woman featured on BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Points West tonight who lost one of the wing mirrors on her two day old car... Cry
Logged
trainer
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 1035


View Profile
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2013, 22:40:04 »

If in doubt about the width of your car, it's probably best not to give it a worle then.
Logged
Chris from Nailsea
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 17865


I am not railway staff


View Profile Email
« Reply #5 on: March 08, 2013, 22:43:43 »

Indeed: you wouldn't want to have your wings clipped.  Roll Eyes
Logged

William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
swrural
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 647


View Profile
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2013, 23:03:27 »

If you look at the map, you can see that the bridge should be better not used by motor vehicles as alternative routes exists for cars.  I love 'the village is isolated' bit.
Logged
Chris from Nailsea
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 17865


I am not railway staff


View Profile Email
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2013, 23:16:27 »

Hmm. I hesitate to disagree with you, swrural, but from my local knowledge of driving in that area, neither Locking Moor Road nor Summer Lane are particularly attractive alternatives to the Moor Lane crossing over the railway line.
Logged

William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
ellendune
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 4452


View Profile
« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2013, 23:27:45 »

If you look at the map, you can see that the bridge should be better not used by motor vehicles as alternative routes exists for cars.  I love 'the village is isolated' bit.

Agreed I am surprised it is open to cars at all.

As for the isolation bit - with a direct access off the M5 and a dual carriageway road south of the line and the old main road the other side of the railway plus a few bridges across it is a very creative use of the word 'isolated'.

Hmm. I hesitate to disagree with you, swrural, but from my local knowledge of driving in that area, neither Locking Moor Road nor Summer Lane are particularly attractive alternatives to the Moor Lane crossing over the railway line.

I accept that Locking Moor road is also essentially single track, but a full single tract width.  I see nothing wrong with Summer Lane.  There is of course always Bristol Road - which was at one time the A370. 

I quite see that Moor Lane should be retained but for pedestrians and cycles only.  I take it there is a traffic problem on the other routes otherwise why would cars want to use this as a rat run. 
Logged
Chris from Nailsea
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 17865


I am not railway staff


View Profile Email
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2013, 23:34:25 »

I accept that Locking Moor road is also essentially single track, but a full single tract width.

It is also one way - southbound only.  Roll Eyes
Logged

William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
LiskeardRich
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 3457

richardwarwicker@hotmail.co.uk
View Profile
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2013, 08:54:51 »

Thanks for that useful comment, richwarwicker.  Wink

Local comment is that the official measurement needs to be taken 'wing mirror tip to wing mirror tip', as there is anecdotal evidence that some drivers feel the need to stop before the bollards to fold in their wing mirrors before moving through the obstacle.

According to my source the widths are at the widest point inclusive of wing mirrors.
Logged

All posts are my own personal believes, opinions and understandings!
Chris from Nailsea
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 17865


I am not railway staff


View Profile Email
« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2013, 20:54:50 »

Further coverage of this story - from This Is Somerset:

Quote
'A major cock-up': Tight squeeze bollards slammed by Weston drivers

Weston-super-Mare motorists are baffled by a council^s decision to install two traffic calming bollards barely wide enough apart to allow cars to pass through.

The yellow bollards, fitted in Moor Lane Bridge at the end of February, force drivers to come to a near standstill as they approach, and cautiously navigate their way through the gap. A number of motorists are believed to have had their wing mirrors damaged or knocked off by the bollards, which cost North Somerset Council almost ^10,000 to install.

Local residents have turned to Facebook to vent their frustration. Andrew Knight said: ^Chaotic, damaging, trouble as lights go green both ends - why not put a height bar instead? So many people have caught their mirrors - one lady had to reverse through causing damage to the whole side of her car!^

Meanwhile Georgina Hunt wrote: "I couldn't believe it last week. I understand calming traffic but it's slow enough on that bridge with one way traffic waiting for the traffic lights to change. I've only got a micra but it made me nervous god knows how bigger cars get through. The gap is ridiculous!!!"

Steve Crawford, who lives near Moor Lane Bridge, captured on video the problems motorists face. The clip shows cars screeching to a halt before slowly passing through the gap, while other drivers pull in their wing mirrors:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EugUUc4tvGU

Mr Crawford told This is Somerset: ^It^s a nightmare. It seems like an idea that has been thought up by someone who has not seen the bridge. It^s absolutely useless. Side mirrors on white vans and such are high enough that the bollards make absolutely no difference. I know people who have had their car wing mirrors taken off though. This is just such a major cock-up. It^s just not a good idea at all.^

Mr Crawford added: ^I believe they^re supposed to be two metres apart but it appears they have measured them two metres from the centre of each bollard rather than the inside measurement. They^re narrower than a garage door. It^s beyond extraordinary.^

Mr Crawford said he takes an alternative route to avoid the bollards. ^That^s more time and petrol,^ he said. ^m sure I^m able to drive through them but it^s the time you waste waiting for people in front to get through. The traffic lights are on a timer and motorists gingerly approach the bollards, then by the time they^ve passed the lights go red again.^

Another video clip captured by Mr Crawford shows three cars struggling to make it through the bollards before the lights change colour:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4R_NEQf-tjM

^It^s just a bad idea, and completely unnecessary in the first place,^ Mr Crawford said. ^It^s only a matter of time until someone crashes into the bollards and if you^re trying to pass through them at night, forget it^.

North Somerset Council says the bollards are necessary to ensure the 6ft 6ins width restriction and three tonne weight limit is abided by. In a statement it said the road and embankments on the approaches to Moor Lane Bridge are ^showing signs of serious wear and tear^. Vehicles are failing to obey the traffic width and weight restrictions, the council claims, which is ^adding to the deterioration of the road's condition^.

A spokesperson told This is Somerset: ^We are monitoring the situation. Cars have to slow down to navigate but cars can get through but large vehicles can^t. We have CCTV (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) cameras there to monitor the situation. We are aware of the issues some people are having^.

The spokesperson also said the emergency services had been consulted over the bollards and did not oppose them because they do not use the bridge due to the existing height and weight restrictions.

Mr Crawford noted: ^Should they [the council] have any plans of repairing the bridge, there is no way that they'd be able to get road works vehicles or machinery on there past the bollards^.

And, from the Weston Mercury:

Quote
Drivers struggle with new traffic bollards

Three out of the top five cars purchased in the UK (United Kingdom) last year would struggle to pass through new traffic bollards on a weakened bridge in Worle.

North Somerset Council has invested around ^10,000 to install bollards to protect the bridge in Moor Lane from heavy vehicles. The seven foot distance between the bollards has been set to prohibit most lorries passing through.

But official guidelines state the maximum width for permitted vehicles should be six inches less than the narrowest part of the road: a width of 6ft 6ins.

The most popular cars bought in the UK last year, according to a major motoring website, included Volkswagen Golf (over 6ft 8ins), Vauxhall Astra (over 6ft 7ins), Ford Focus (over 6ft 7inss) and Vauxhall Corsa (over 6ft 4ins). The best selling car, the Ford Fiesta, fits within the recommended measurements by 0.1ins either side.

A council spokesman said: ^We have introduced measures to enforce traffic regulations and protect the road from further deterioration. These include installing substantial bollards at either end of the bridge to enforce the 6ft 6ins width restriction and 3 tonne weight limit. Drivers should be aware of the weight and width restrictions. If vehicles are more than 6ft 6ins in width (from wing mirror to wing mirror) then they will be prohibited from accessing the bridge.^

Traffic lights over the bridge have now been synced with the new speed of traffic after many motorists were left facing a red signal when halfway over the bridge.

Plans were in place to close the bridge to all vehicles after nearby housing development Locking Castle was built. The plans were changed to allow restricted access as the alternative rail bridge in Old Mill Way had not yet been built.

The council said that these restrictions were often ignored by commercial vehicles putting the bridge at risk of collapse.
Logged

William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
swrural
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 647


View Profile
« Reply #12 on: March 10, 2013, 11:23:20 »

Thanks Chris, bears out what I opined.  Note the penultimate paragraph in the follow-up report.
Logged
devon_metro
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 5175



View Profile
« Reply #13 on: March 10, 2013, 14:05:07 »

Might have to take a drive round there soon, and I thought Locking Moor Road was a nasty piece of road, particularly on that blind hump back bridge.
Logged
Do you have something you would like to add to this thread, or would you like to raise a new question at the Coffee Shop? Please [register] (it is free) if you have not done so before, or login (at the top of this page) if you already have an account - we would love to read what you have to say!

You can find out more about how this forum works [here] - that will link you to a copy of the forum agreement that you can read before you join, and tell you very much more about how we operate. We are an independent forum, provided and run by customers of Great Western Railway, for customers of Great Western Railway and we welcome railway professionals as members too, in either a personal or official capacity. Views expressed in posts are not necessarily the views of the operators of the forum.

As well as posting messages onto existing threads, and starting new subjects, members can communicate with each other through personal messages if they wish. And once members have made a certain number of posts, they will automatically be admitted to the "frequent posters club", where subjects not-for-public-domain are discussed; anything from the occasional rant to meetups we may be having ...

 
Pages: [1]
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.2 | SMF © 2006-2007, Simple Machines LLC Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!
This forum is provided by customers of Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western), and the views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that the content provided by one of our posters contravenes our posting rules (email link to report). Forum hosted by Well House Consultants

Jump to top of pageJump to Forum Home Page