A measure installed to warn HGV drivers reliant on Sat Nav technology that a notorious road in Bath is unsuitable for their vehicle is now in place.
Church Street in Widcombe has become a hot spot for HGV drivers getting stuck when their Sat Nav technology fails to recognise the narrowness of the road and the access only restriction. A solar powered, illuminated traffic island will restrict larger heavy goods vehicles from accessing Church Street and improve road safety for people crossing the road.
Councillor Ian Gilchrist (Lib-Dem, Widcombe) has used funding from the Council’s Ward Member Initiative Fund which supports councillors to respond quickly to local community needs where a small amount of financial support can make a big difference.
Councillor Gilchrist said, “Anything that Bath & North East Somerset Council can do to both limit the possibility of HGV’s accessing Church Street and improving safety for pedestrians is welcome. That is why I have used part of the Ward Member Initiative Fund to work with the community and transport engineers to find an answer to the problem on Church Street. I hope the traffic island will help.”
Contributions toward the £3,000 investment have also come from the Widcombe Association and Church Street residents.
Maggie Turner, Widcombe resident, added, “The problem of HGV’s getting stuck down this road has got out of hand in recent years and the community is pleased to be working with the Council to try and resolve it. The traffic island will help do this and make it safer to cross the road.”
The Council’s Ward Member Initiative Scheme has allocated a sum of £2,000 to each ward councillor during 2011/12. To date, more than £17,500 has been distributed to a wide range of projects including children and youth provision, football coaching and refurbishing a church kitchen.
