A35 Charmouth to Yellowham Hill Scheme for safety and associated improvements through Morcombelake
CVPC has responded as follows:
The A35 is a major feature in the daily life of our residents, both within Morcombelake and more generally across the Char Valley parishes. As the key route for both local and trunk journeys, we are all seriously affected by the very large seasonal fluctuations in vehicle flows and traffic incidents on the A35 stretching from east of Bridport through to Axminster.
The concerns you have identified are still very much considered problems for residents in and around Morcombelake. In addition, the knock-effect of traffic diverting because of incidents on the A35, creates severe dangers across our parishes on the narrow country roads which are nearly all without footways or cycleways.
Our local situation has changed slightly over the past year as the western pedestrian crossing is now operational and the speed limit on the A35 approaching Morcombelake from Chideock has been reduced to 50mph. Unfortunately, this has not changed the traffic speeds, volumes, nor composition through the village, with the A35 effectively severing our community.
As noted previously, the pedestrian walkway runs alongside the A35. This is narrow and, in places, pedestrians must walk in single file, or walk on the A35 to pass one another. Large vehicles travel past at (or above) the speed limit of 40mph. The buffeting, noise, and spray at that speed is considerable for pedestrians. It is not safe for cyclists and un-passable for horse riders. For pedestrians wishing to use the local shop, they must either use the narrow path on the south side of the A35, or use the path on the north side and then cross the A35 at the eastern bend with poor sight lines and without any central reservation. None of this is safe. In many cases, not just because of the older age of our residents, this is a major deterrent.
We feel strongly that:
We understand the need for good highway provision for trunk road movements, but this needs to be tempered with the needs of residents along and around the route. This can be achieved through good design sympathetic to the areas through which the road travels.
We would welcome any, and preferably many traffic calming measures including traffic safety cameras and speed devices, greater prominence to village entry signage and structures, warnings about pedestrians, central reservations for pedestrians, turning lanes for side roads, cycle lanes or road markings, slower speed limits in and approaching the village, and increased road markings to slow traffic.
Hopefully, you will be able to take these considerations into account when preparing your reports. We would be happy to meet and discuss these in person, but please keep us informed of progress with the studies and outcomes.
The A35 is a major feature in the daily life of our residents, both within Morcombelake and more generally across the Char Valley parishes. As the key route for both local and trunk journeys, we are all seriously affected by the very large seasonal fluctuations in vehicle flows and traffic incidents on the A35 stretching from east of Bridport through to Axminster.
The concerns you have identified are still very much considered problems for residents in and around Morcombelake. In addition, the knock-effect of traffic diverting because of incidents on the A35, creates severe dangers across our parishes on the narrow country roads which are nearly all without footways or cycleways.
Our local situation has changed slightly over the past year as the western pedestrian crossing is now operational and the speed limit on the A35 approaching Morcombelake from Chideock has been reduced to 50mph. Unfortunately, this has not changed the traffic speeds, volumes, nor composition through the village, with the A35 effectively severing our community.
As noted previously, the pedestrian walkway runs alongside the A35. This is narrow and, in places, pedestrians must walk in single file, or walk on the A35 to pass one another. Large vehicles travel past at (or above) the speed limit of 40mph. The buffeting, noise, and spray at that speed is considerable for pedestrians. It is not safe for cyclists and un-passable for horse riders. For pedestrians wishing to use the local shop, they must either use the narrow path on the south side of the A35, or use the path on the north side and then cross the A35 at the eastern bend with poor sight lines and without any central reservation. None of this is safe. In many cases, not just because of the older age of our residents, this is a major deterrent.
We feel strongly that:
- a 30mph speed limit is justified for safety and community severance reasons within the village of Morcombelake based on the road size, the vehicle volumes, the number of junctions linking local villages, and the number of residences along the road in the village.
- the approach speed to our village from the east is too high at 50mph and that the speed reduction point is far too close to the entrance to our local shop, making entry and exit very difficult for crossing pedestrians and for vehicles travelling east having to cross the westerly lane.
- the approach speed from the west at 40mph is too high to be safe for the vehicles and pedestrians crossing or joining the A35 at Tizards Knapp, and the speed restriction point from the west is too close to the village to allow sufficient speed reduction from the unrestricted section of the A35. This creates a major hazard for all traffic.
- the problems at the west approach exacerbate the issues for horse riders. The speed, volume, lack of visibility due to the bend on the hill, and lack of any footpath or safe refuge on either side of the A35 at that point, make it almost impossible for horse riders to safely cross the A35.
- the existing A35 layout and usage approaching and through Morcombelake, is a major deterrent to the use of any form of transport other than cars. Cycling, walking, and horse riding in the village and to local towns on the A35 is dangerous for residents and visitors, and viable alternative routes just do not exist.
We understand the need for good highway provision for trunk road movements, but this needs to be tempered with the needs of residents along and around the route. This can be achieved through good design sympathetic to the areas through which the road travels.
We would welcome any, and preferably many traffic calming measures including traffic safety cameras and speed devices, greater prominence to village entry signage and structures, warnings about pedestrians, central reservations for pedestrians, turning lanes for side roads, cycle lanes or road markings, slower speed limits in and approaching the village, and increased road markings to slow traffic.
Hopefully, you will be able to take these considerations into account when preparing your reports. We would be happy to meet and discuss these in person, but please keep us informed of progress with the studies and outcomes.
