West Berkshire Council
Local Authority
Action Planned
West Berkshire Council will consult with local ward members and parish councils regarding access improvements, including reducing the westbound traffic lanes and potentially blocking one service road entrance. (AI summary)
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Dear Mr Bedford Report to Prevent Future Deaths Thank you for your letter dated 24th February 2014 concerning the Inquest following the recent death of Mr Kenneth Gerald Aldridgeorcere 7g at Paaqetft report This section of the A4 has been the subject of some investigation, which have outlined below: Speed Limits The speed limit on the A4 between the two A340 roundabouts was considered Councirs Speed Limit Task Group at is meeting_nOprdZdshen coaidegeeed tte further traffic survey information was required. This section was considered that December 2010 when it was agreed to introduce a 5Omph speed limit to again in junctions with Beenham Industrial Estate and Beenham village. The task cover the agreed that the existing speed limit On the remaining dength aethe Ae faicgroncluded the dual carriageway, was appropriate. An objection was received during the statutory consultation and advertisement of the SOmph speed limit; which was considered by Individual Decision (ID) with recommendation to install the SOmph speed limit. The recommendation was agreed but the decision was 'called in' by five Councillors. A copy of ID report is enclosed for your records_ The reasons for call in were considered by the Overview ad Scrutiny Commission during 2012 cvnergereas resoevedveratemheand SathtiRoadapageroent Proposed Sfmph Speed Limit be referred back to the Portfolio Holder for Highways for reconsideration' . Continued Switchboard; (01635) 42400 Rgteener Document Exchange: DX 30825 Newbury Beason 2005 ,0G7 5c ' = Minicom: (01635) 519001 Authority :5 2 Wes ( Berkshire Mwisi in/m; Website: wwm westberks govuk the the May
The reasons for call in and the reconsideration of the speed limit again by the speed limit task group at its meeting in August 2012. were considered by Individual Decision report (ID 2470 A) on 20"h September 2012 This was followed 'That the proposed speed limit is introduced with when it was agreed the start of the speed limit at the eastern end being located approximately 140 metres to the west of its advertised location as shown on Plan No SLR/10/0A/OO2B (Appendix C). The matter was again raised at meeting of the task group o 7th March 2014 to resolve if the section of dual carriageway needs to be reconsidered_ The task were informed of your report, local residents concerns and the group Tratfic MVanagemen: AssessmenccTNeSice68ts corceragreed that feeospeeendatiodo in not need to be reconsidered but consideration needs limit does to be given to the installation of pedestrian warning signs between bus stops and measures to assist access and egress to the entrances within the length of dual carriageway: Recorded Injury Accidents Within the latest three period to the end of_January 2014 there have been 8 recorded injury accidents on the A4 between the SOmph speed limit and (100 neetres east of its junction with Ufton Lane_ These resulted in fatal, 2 serious and 5 injuries being received. slight Of these 6 were within 100 metres of the Ufton Lane junction and resulted in 2 and 4 slight injury accidents. 3 of the accidents involved eastbound vehicles. serious The other two involved the recent fatal accident and slight accident when travelling eastbound changed lanes_ HGV have checked the accident data back to January 1994 to determine the number of injury accidents that have involved entranceslexits and below is summary of the results: 1 accident occurred in April 1998 at Max's Cafe when vehicle failed to way when entering the A4; give There have been no accidents involving the first service road entrancelexit; There have 3 accidents at the second service road entrancelexit; these all involved U-Turning vehicles at gap in the central reservation; but The third entrance at the Comfort Hotel is within the SOmph speed limit and therefore has been excluded my analysis_ These results do not indicate that the entranceslexits on to the A4 are unsafe. particularly Continued the year been the from
Traffic Management Assessment 168 TMA was undertaken on the dual carriageway section of the A4 2013 and considered the recorded injury accident record, traffic during November and comments local residents_ It speeds and volume was recommended to improve the signing at its junction with Ufton Lane, and install an additional 'No sign. These works are identified for implementation as part of the approved Traffic and Road Safety works programme 2014/15. have enclosed copy of the assessment for your records. Access Improvements The two lanes for westbound traffic could be reduced to one lane so that traffic travels in the middle of the carriageway as shown on the enclosed plan TM213/001 . would have the effect of creating small deceleration lanes into This visibility for traffic entering the A4. accesses and improving To improve access into the service road the first entrance could be blocked up and new access created as shown on the enclosed plan 213/002, This would prevent 'U turn' manoeuvres However this could have the effect of vehicles entering the service road at speed_ Due to the change in the nature of the road it is proposed to consult the local ward members and parish councils on the proposals and will contact when have received the comments to the consultation. you believe we are addressing the matters of concern described in your report but should you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact me_
The reasons for call in and the reconsideration of the speed limit again by the speed limit task group at its meeting in August 2012. were considered by Individual Decision report (ID 2470 A) on 20"h September 2012 This was followed 'That the proposed speed limit is introduced with when it was agreed the start of the speed limit at the eastern end being located approximately 140 metres to the west of its advertised location as shown on Plan No SLR/10/0A/OO2B (Appendix C). The matter was again raised at meeting of the task group o 7th March 2014 to resolve if the section of dual carriageway needs to be reconsidered_ The task were informed of your report, local residents concerns and the group Tratfic MVanagemen: AssessmenccTNeSice68ts corceragreed that feeospeeendatiodo in not need to be reconsidered but consideration needs limit does to be given to the installation of pedestrian warning signs between bus stops and measures to assist access and egress to the entrances within the length of dual carriageway: Recorded Injury Accidents Within the latest three period to the end of_January 2014 there have been 8 recorded injury accidents on the A4 between the SOmph speed limit and (100 neetres east of its junction with Ufton Lane_ These resulted in fatal, 2 serious and 5 injuries being received. slight Of these 6 were within 100 metres of the Ufton Lane junction and resulted in 2 and 4 slight injury accidents. 3 of the accidents involved eastbound vehicles. serious The other two involved the recent fatal accident and slight accident when travelling eastbound changed lanes_ HGV have checked the accident data back to January 1994 to determine the number of injury accidents that have involved entranceslexits and below is summary of the results: 1 accident occurred in April 1998 at Max's Cafe when vehicle failed to way when entering the A4; give There have been no accidents involving the first service road entrancelexit; There have 3 accidents at the second service road entrancelexit; these all involved U-Turning vehicles at gap in the central reservation; but The third entrance at the Comfort Hotel is within the SOmph speed limit and therefore has been excluded my analysis_ These results do not indicate that the entranceslexits on to the A4 are unsafe. particularly Continued the year been the from
Traffic Management Assessment 168 TMA was undertaken on the dual carriageway section of the A4 2013 and considered the recorded injury accident record, traffic during November and comments local residents_ It speeds and volume was recommended to improve the signing at its junction with Ufton Lane, and install an additional 'No sign. These works are identified for implementation as part of the approved Traffic and Road Safety works programme 2014/15. have enclosed copy of the assessment for your records. Access Improvements The two lanes for westbound traffic could be reduced to one lane so that traffic travels in the middle of the carriageway as shown on the enclosed plan TM213/001 . would have the effect of creating small deceleration lanes into This visibility for traffic entering the A4. accesses and improving To improve access into the service road the first entrance could be blocked up and new access created as shown on the enclosed plan 213/002, This would prevent 'U turn' manoeuvres However this could have the effect of vehicles entering the service road at speed_ Due to the change in the nature of the road it is proposed to consult the local ward members and parish councils on the proposals and will contact when have received the comments to the consultation. you believe we are addressing the matters of concern described in your report but should you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact me_