FONTMELL MAGNA Village Traffic Management Scheme (TMS) Presented to and adopted by Fontmell Magna PC September 2014
Why do we need a Village Traffic Management Scheme? 1. Because of the impact the A350 has on the safety and daily lives of the village residents. 2. Because of the volume of traffic that uses the A350. This is excluding the additional volume caused by the closure of the road in Melbury Abbas. 3. Because the A350 is, to use the politicians favourite phrase, not fit for purpose. 4. Because the A350 Relief Road if it ever happens, 80 years and counting, is still many years away, leaving the Fontmell residents no choice but to endure more years of concern for their safety and quality of life. 5. Because; a) The A350 through Fontmell Magna has NO pavement along its entire 30 mph limit. b) It is far too narrow for the volume of LGVs that pass through the village in both directions, frequently finding it impossible to pass and causing congestion. c) The road winds through the village which, together with the changes in elevation, means that drivers forward sight lines are too short for the effective safety for Fontmell residents. 2
How was Village Traffic Management Scheme established? 1. The residents were circulated with a questionnaire, appendix i, concerning the problems caused by the A350. It sought their opinion on 9 suggestions and asked for any other options they would like considered. 2. There have been over 100 responses to the questionnaire received to date. These have been collated and summarised, appendix ii. 3. With the information in D.of T. TA advisory leaflets available on the internet as guides, the outcome of the questionnaire was reviewed, the comments noted and used to determine the village TMS, now put to DCC for action. The Fontmell Magna TMS is viable and inexpensive. It should be approved and implemented as soon as practicable. The TMS is purely an interim measure but it will go some way to ameliorating the issues caused to the village and its residents by the A350. It will provide some improvement, albeit limited, to the safety and quality of life for the residents of Fontmell. But the TMS is merely a sticking plaster on the problem the relief road is the cure. 3
What is our Village Traffic Management Scheme? It is a scheme of simple, low cost improvements to the existing village speed limits, road signs and markings to reduce the problems of inappropriate speed and lack of awareness of the traffic passing through the village. 1. Problem; Approaching the village from Shaftesbury. The existing speed limit signs on the Shaftesbury side of the village are poorly sited and ineffective. They are in the wrong place, the limit sign on the left, driver s side, is hidden in the hedge, the one on the right too easily hidden by traffic moving North out of the village, appendix iii. The present placement and lack of visibility does not provide sufficient warning to the drivers. The problem is compounded by the short derestricted stretch of road between Compton Abbas and Fontmell Magna. Solution; a) Extend the 30 mph limit approximately 250m North towards Shaftesbury to start by the existing warning sign for the bends, before the entrance to the cricket pavillion. b) The new 30 mph warning signs should be as the Tollard Royal style appendix iii; the start of the limit should have a 2 to 3 metre deep coloured patch of tarmac, running laterally across the road, with two large speed roundels painted on the surface; drivers should have advanced warning that they are approaching the limit by a set of increasing yellow lines across the carriageway, appendix iv. c) The limit between Compton Abbas and Fontmell should be reduced to 40 mph as currently applied between Sutton Waldron and Fontmell. 4
What is our Village Traffic Management Scheme? 2. Problem; Approaching the village from Blandford Forum. The existing speed limit signs on the Blandford side of the village are also ineffective, appendix iv. This approach to the village is at the end of long straight road. The approach has a widely ignored 40 mph speed limit. The straight road encourages overtaking, particularly dangerous when approaching Fontmell. Solution; a) The new 30 mph warning signs should be as the Tollard Royal style appendix iii; the start of the limit should have a 2 to 3 metre deep coloured patch of tarmac, running laterally across the road, with two large speed roundels painted on the surface; drivers should have advanced warning that they are approaching the limit by a set of increasing yellow lines across the carriageway, appendix iv. b) The section of the 40 mph limit from the crossroads at Sutton Waldron and Fontmell should be marked as no overtaking on the approach to Fontmell and by double white lines from the start of the limit to the junction with Parsonage Street. c) Traffic passing through the village would be better managed at 1b) & 2a), the entry points to the village, if the gates were reinforced by road narrowing, with priority for traffic leaving the village to avoid congestion, queues and noise within the village. 5
What is our Village Traffic Management Scheme? 3. Problem; Traffic in the village. The village has concerns with the inappropriate speed of vehicles through the village and the drivers who fail to recognise the potential hazards of the village; its limited sight lines, the lack of pavements and the daily movements of residents within the village. In reaching a solution, the village is anxious to avoid an unnecessary proliferation of road signage. This means that all road signage, existing and any necessary additional, must be correctly located, clearly visible and, above all, effective Solution; a) To remind drivers of the 30 mph limit two additional large speed roundels should be painted on the road surface by the Methodist Chapel and the Fontmell pub, preferably on a background of a 2-3 metre deep coloured patch of tarmac, running laterally across the road. b) The flashing 30 mph signs have had their day and are mostly ignored as they flash at any speed above 30 mph. They do not differentiate between drivers just over the limit and those well in excess. They must be supported by Actual Speed Indicators (SID) as these clearly show drivers by how much they are exceeding the limit. c) The existing SLOW signs need repainting. All other retained signage must be cleaned, clearly visible and re-sited if necessary. 6
What is our Village Traffic Management Scheme? 3. Problem; Traffic in the village cont d; d) The No Footpath signage for the village needs to be much clearer, particularly on the entry points and between junctions with Church Street, Mill Street and Parsonage Street. This is essential as the traffic passing through the village makes no allowances for the lack of pavements, or for the safety of the pedestrians who have no choice but to walk along the A350. 4. Problem; Other village roads The village wants lower speed limits on Mill Street, West Street, Church Street, The Knapp & Crown Hill. There are concerns too with the increase of LGVs in Mill Street. Solution; a) West Street should have a 20 mph limit from the west side of the FM Surgery to the Gossip Tree there is a School and regular pedestrian traffic along West Street to and from the Surgery and the Village Hall. Church Street, Crown Hill and The Knapp should also be subject to a 20 mph limit. b) Mill Street should have a 20 mph limit from the A350 to the Springhead Gardens Visitors car park entrance. There should also be a sign at both the junction with the A350 and preferably the C13 stating Single Track Road with Passing Places. c) Mill Street should be subject to a 7.5 tonnes limit. 7
What is our Village Traffic Management Scheme? 5. Problem; Enforcement. The village is considering starting a Fontmell Magna Community Speed Watch Programme {CSW), but the support is lukewarm with many seeing it as ineffective. Solution; The CSW will be put into action. Nevertheless residents believe the only effective deterrent is regular Police speed checks, particularly now as there is approaching a 100% increase in traffic passing through the village due to the closure of the road in Melbury Abbas. The Police budgetary constraints are recognised but, the village believes that the CSW needs to be reinforced by fortnightly, varied times and locations, Police Speed checks. 6. Problem; Other matters pedestrian safety There are few footpaths (footways?) in the village nor is there a safe means of crossing the A350. Solution; DCC to re-consider the construction of a pavement from Parsonage Street to Mill Street. DCC advise that any form of crossing in the proximity of the bus stop by the Fontmell pub is inappropriate. We need DCC to find a solution. 8
What is our Village Traffic Management Scheme? 7. Problem; Other matters A350 general. The village recognises the importance of co-operation with the other villages and interested parties to lobby for the common issues of the A350 and in particular the relief road. Solution; FM PC will inform the A350 village PCs of our TMS and re-emphasise our willingness to co-operate with them to lobby for a solution to the Melbury Abbas road closure and the (long overdue) delivery of the A350 relief road. - + - 9
Appendix i Fontmell Magna TMS Chapel Cottage, Lurmer Street Fontmell Magna Shaftesbury Dorset, SP7 0NT robinmeast@btinternet.com 01747 812349 07785 285500 FONTMELL MAGNA VILLAGE RESIDENTS TRAFFIC QUESTIONNAIRE Name of resident... Address... Signature... Date... 6 August 2014 Dear fellow resident FONTMELL MAGNA & THE A350 As a resident of Fontmell Magna living on the A350 I have become increasingly concerned with the problems caused by traffic passing through the village. The increase in traffic resulting from the road closure in Melbury Abbas has exacerbated these issues and the detrimental effect they have on the otherwise delightful village of Fontmell Magna. The A350 is unsuitable for the normal volume of traffic, particularly the large goods vehicles as there are many pinch points where it is difficult, if not impossible, for two trucks to pass; there are major concerns with the speed of commercial vehicles, cars and in particular motor-bikes to use the politicians favourite phrase the A350 is clearly not fit for purpose and this was true even before the Melbury Abbas road closure. The correct solution (ie a new route to replace the A350 from Blandford to Shaftesbury including a Melbury Abbas by-pass) must be given a high priority and implemented within an acceptable time scale. The problem is, even if it is given a high priority, the by-pass is still many years away. What the village needs now are some simple, relatively low cost, but effective means, capable of being implemented quickly, with the clear objective of reducing some of the problems currently experienced on this section of the A350. The attached questionnaire gives examples of improvements that could help the village to achieve that objective. I would appreciate your view on these together with any additional thoughts you may have. Once this survey of the villager s view is completed I would propose that the village form a Traffic Action Group to actively work and lobby to get the improvements in place as soon as possible. The A350 situation must be addressed Doing nothing is not an option. DETAILS Y N? 1 The derestricted stretch of the A350 between Compton Abbas and Fontmell Magna be reduced to 50mph. 2 On the approach to FM from Shaftesbury the 30 mph limit moved North, 200 metres or so, to apply before the bends. 3 Replace existing (ineffective and unreadable) 30mph limit signs with larger, clearer signs at both the N & S village entry point. 4 At both village entry points put a road narrowing arrangement in place, with a one way priority for traffic leaving the village. It should include a coloured tarmac strip across the road with large speed limit roundels. 5 Site a series of low-noise rumble strips on the approach to the start of the village 30 mph limit (ideally also on coloured tarmac) 6 All non A350 through roads Mill Street, West Street & Church Street to have a 20 mph limit. 7 Site a Pedestrian Crossing, with adequate warning signs, by the Fontmell Pub 8 Subject all link roads between the A350 and C13 to a 2.5m 7.5 tonne weight restriction. 9 Operate a Fontmell Magna Community Speed Watch Programme If yes, are you be willing to be a volunteer Y/N Please express your support or otherwise of the above proposals and use the blank spaces for any suggestions you may have, Thank you. I look forward to receiving your completed questionnaire. Robin M East Once completed please return to Rick at the Fontmell Magna Village Shop & Post Office. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey 10
Appendix ii Fontmell Magna TMS Fontmell Magna - Traffic Management Questionnaire (102 responses as at 08/09/2014) % IN FAVOUR YES NO DON T KNOW, NO ANSWER TOTALS 1 50 mph restriction on A350 between Compton and Fontmell 83% 85 12 5 102 2 Relocation of 30 mph limit commencement 91% 93 6 3 102 3 Improved speed limit signage 84% 86 11 5 102 4 Road narrowing with priority for traffic leaving village N & S 63% 64 27 11 102 5 Low-noise rumble strips on approach to speed restriction 70% 71 22 9 102 6 All roads except A350 to have 20 mph speed restriction 86% 88 10 4 102 7 Pedestrian crossing near Fontmell pub 64% 65 25 12 102 8 Link roads between A350 & C13 to have width/weight limit 89% 91 4 7 102 9 Speed watch programme for Fontmell Magna 56% 57 27 18 102 11
Appendix iii Fontmell Magna TMS Present 30 mph limit location Proposed new location for start of 30 mph limit for traffic approaching FM from North approximately 250m North of existing. HIDDEN SIGN APPROACHING FM FROM SHAFTESBURY Aug 2014 APPROACHING FM FROM SHAFTESBURY Aug 2014 The present location of the 30 mph limit approaching FM from Shaftesbury is poor and ineffective. With the present location, the driver is part of the way through a series of bends, the nearside sign is hidden in the hedge and cannot be seen and the other side is too easily obscured by traffic, particularly LGVs, travelling North from FM. The start of the 30 mph limit is too close to the village, particularly St Andrews View, and should be moved North, circa 250m, before the cricket pavilion entrance where they will be much more visible to the drivers approaching FM. The new signs should be of the Tollard Royal style as shown and the road marked as appendix iv. Tollard Royal Speed Limit Sign 12
Appendix iv Fontmell Magna TMS Present 30 mph limit location A350 approaching FM from Blandford (Oct 2011, Google Maps) The present 30 mph limit approaching FM from Blandford is poor and ineffective. The new signs should be of the Tollard Royal style appendix iii and the road marked as sketch right. 30 30 The sketch above is not to scale but a representation of the TMS road markings for both the N & S entry into FM. The vertical blue line indicates the start of the limit and the placement of the Tollard Royal style signs. appendix iii. The yellow lines are an advance warning to the driver. They could incorporate a low noise rumble strip. The white 30 mph roundels to be repeated twice in the village; by the Methodist Chapel and the Fontmell Pub, preferably on a coloured tarmac background. 13
FONTMELL MAGNA Village Traffic Management Scheme (TMS) END 14