As mentioned previously, I have asked the Gloucestershire Highways to highlight what action they are taking with regard to the junction and the incidents. Coupled with this is what happens to us when we go into “lockdown”
Here are the responses about the Junction itself: (Replies are in Green) – Please be aware that this is the pertinent info’ from a couple of emails which I have tried to put together.
“The concern is about people jumping the lights on the A38 from direction of the Motorway, heading to the City. There has been a number of accidents, and more near misses. While I personally feel there is nothing wrong with the junction design, I feel it would benefit from having some Traffic Light Cameras installed to deter people from jumping the lights.
‘Though the injury and risk of injury is high, the other reason this is a concern is that Kingsway is a “one way in, one way out” village at the moment, and any closure of the A38 effectively locks down the village. And if there were to be another emergency (as there was last year) then Emergency Vehicle access is difficult at best”.
At the moment, there are no immediate plans to install a red-light running camera at the Kingsway junction. However, I can tell you that you are not alone in raising a concern about this junction and assure you that the situation is being closely monitored by colleagues in Road Safety and Gloucestershire Highways. Gloucestershire Constabulary is conducting a thorough investigation into the latest incident and all information gathered will be shared to inform any future decisions.
How many accidents are you taking into account in the evaluation on this junction to date?
For the evaluation of this junction we are using:
- Collision data supplied to us by the Police
- This data includes all of the reported collisions involving personal injury.
- We are using data covering the past 5 years (3?)
The details are as follows;
- November 2007 – Slight injury – Probable red light running
- November 2009 – Serious injury – Probable red light running
- March 2010 – Slight injury - Loss of control
- And of course the recent collision where the cyclist was attempting a right turn manoeuvre.
How many accidents need to occur before more action is taken?
Site selection for both speed and red-light camera enforcement is currently in line with guidance published by the DfT in their Circular 1/2007, which mirrors the guidance that was applicable in the Handbook of Rules & Guidance for the National Safety Camera Programme prior to the closure of the programme at the end of April 2007.
The selection is based on a points value attributed to sites according to the number and severity of injury collisions that have occurred that are either speed related within a kilometre of the site for speed enforcement, or attributable to red-light running and occurring between the stoplines at a traffic light controlled junction. A fatal or serious injury collision is given a value of 5 points and a slight injury collision 1 point.
The minimum points value for the consideration of a red-light camera would normally be 10 with at least one KSI contributing to the points total. Sites that meet that minimum criteria would then have to be further assessed for suitability (ease of safe access for loading / unloading a camera, visibility, conspicuity, etc) and in the event that the number of potential sites exceeded the budget available to address them all would ultimately be prioritised according to greatest risk.
What other alternatives have actually been considered, if any?
Until recently there has been one injury collision per year – not an unusually high rate for signals on a strategic route such as the A38.
We monitor and compare collisions at all junctions on an annual basis – should this junction become an issue we will identify it along with other junctions at our next check.
In essence, there is not enough evidence to warrent any further action at this time, but it will be subject to ongoing evaluation. I am awaiting a reply about the Lock down issues but I am lead to believe that some good dialogue is being had between Gloucestershire Highways and QUVL about the issue.
When I learn more, then I will post it.
Cheers,
Barry