I'm very concerned about the traffic on Radstock Road (A362 Midsomer Norton - Radstock, Post code BA3 2AP) The speed limit is 30 mph, but rarely do I see a car travelling at that speed, the average is probably 45mph. I live just off the road, and I have a 2 year old. Sooner or later he'll be going to primary school, and I daren't send him to the school opposite our house in fear of the traffic. There is no pedestrian crossing in sight, or any thing to calm traffic. I believe there needs to be sleeping policemen or bumps in the road, rumble stripes, a flashing 30mph sign or some other type of traffic calming equipment. I even believe the speed limit should be dropped to 20 to 25 mph, due to the fact that some residents live directly on the road, without even a pavement! Sooner or later if nothing is done, someone is going to get seriously hurt or even may die because of the traffic on this road. I strongly recommend that something should be done here immediately.

By David_Evans at 18:55 on 19/05/11

Hi David, I'm inclined to agree. I think traffic doesn't slow from the 40 to 30 zone out of Radstock and then carry that speed along Radstock Road, even where it's pretty narrow. And in my experience some of the worst offenders for tailgating in the morning are the parents who have just dropped their kids off at Welton Primary. Have you dropped a line to our new councillors yet?

By Chutzpah84 at 00:10 on 20/05/11
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Yes, I contacted the council yesterday, and I've also requested an online petition from the BANES council website, if and when they approve it, I'll post the link here. Thanks for your reply.

By David_Evans at 08:33 on 20/05/11
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I'll be one of the first to sign the petition. My cat was killed on that road and if the driver had been going the speed limit (30mph) there may have been time to stop. Turning onto Radstock Road is a nightmare too.

By CarlaEGale at 10:53 on 20/05/11
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Some years ago it was proposed to drive a road from the bottom of Wheelers Hill to Welton through the fields thus removing much of the traffic in Midsomer Norton and indeed Radstock Rd. Those of us who have lived in Midsomer Norton for many years could see the obvious benefits of the scheme but a vocal minority ensured its failure. As I believe the land will be covered in houses eventually the protests were merely delaying the inevitable. Keeping a few horses on that valuable building land is not economically viable. Had a chance and missed it !

By Ellwoodjames at 12:23 on 22/05/11
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Pray tell, what is so "economically viable" about building a road to shift a problem from one road to another?

Besides, the original post is about speed, which a new road wouldn't "fix".

By Chutzpah84 at 19:22 on 22/05/11
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I do agree with David, some rumble strips or sleeping policemen are needed for around the school.

By CarlaEGale at 09:26 on 23/05/11
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Don't know about "sleeping policemen" but a few more awake and living ones to crack down on careless, thoughtless, incompetent and downright lethal drivers wouldn't go amiss.

By Howard_C at 12:18 on 23/05/11
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Ahh, but with all the cutbacks etc...don't think they can afford the manpower!

By CarlaEGale at 12:42 on 23/05/11
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That's right. They'll wait until someone's killed before taking any action. That's the usual procedure - makes it financially viable then.

By Howard_C at 16:09 on 24/05/11
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Yup... http://tinyurl.com/3ulmynz

By Chutzpah84 at 16:16 on 24/05/11
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Hi, Thanks for your comments. I've created an ePetition on the BANES council website. All you need to do is log in (if you don't have a log-in, it's easy to register), and sign the petition. Here is the link:

http://tinyurl.com/3lrwndv

Thanks,

David

By David_Evans at 21:28 on 24/05/11
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Have signed it! Will repost this to see if we can get others to sign it too.

By CarlaEGale at 08:10 on 25/05/11
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David - have you been to your local PACT meeting? I appreciate commenting on here, and the epetition, but you're likely to have more impact/direct answers at a PACT meeting....

http://tinyurl.com/3fx5bqq

I am sure PC Rogerson will be pleased to see you.

By LucyofMSN at 17:52 on 25/05/11
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I also live just off Radstock road. Your right traffic generally travels at around 40mph.

I think you will find that there is already a 20mph limit around the school at school times and there is also a "lolly pop" man on duty to help people cross.

I personally am not a fan of speed humps but im struggling to think of any other alternatives?

By MrWild at 13:57 on 26/05/11
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The story got published in the Somerset Guardian this week, here's the link:

http://tinyurl.com/6xbobtw

Remember you can sign the petition here:

http://tinyurl.com/3lrwndv

I'll be mentioning the safety of the A362 at the B&NES full council next week too. Let's hope something is done soon, thanks again,

David

By David_Evans at 01:35 on 06/07/11
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Good luck with the campaign. I've signed the petition and hopefully others will too. Fingers crossed something will be done!

By CarlaEGale at 10:00 on 06/07/11
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