Discussions between Bath & North East Somerset Council and the Highways Agency to consider the recent accident record on the A46 at Hartley Bends and improve road safety have resulted in progress.
Councillor Roger Symonds, Council Cabinet Member for Transport, and Councillor Martin Veal, Ward Member for Bathavon North, met with the Highways Agency highlighting the accidents over the last five years, two of them fatal. There was also a discussion about the wider traffic issues relating to the A36.
The Highways Agency confirmed they were bidding for funds to invest in measures to address this problem in 2013/14. Proposals include the installation of two vehicle activated signs which will warn road users of the bends from both direction and also new road markings.
The Agency’s analysis suggests the scheme would rank very highly on their list of priorities for this type of work.
Councillor Symonds said, “It is very positive that the Highways Agency have conducted this assessment and intend to bid for funding to tackle this urgent problem. There is clearly a pattern of accidents at Hartley Bends and Bath & North East Somerset Council hopes that their proposed action is successful.”
Councillor Veal added, “Whilst I welcome the Highways Agency intention to improve safety in the long-term, action is also needed immediately. We have therefore suggested temporary vehicle activated signs on the approaches to this area to alert drivers to the safety issue.”
Annabelle Dexter, the Highways Agency’s South West Asset Development Team Leader, said, “Safety is a priority and we welcomed this opportunity to listen to the council’s concerns and discuss proposals to introduce new safety measures on this section of the A46.
“We expect to be able to make an announcement about funding for this by February 2013 and in the meantime we are investigating if there are any short term safety measures we can introduce before the work is undertaken.”