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Absolutely nothing’s too much hassle for Cheshire Highways
Vic Barlow15/11/2006
AWARE how concerned local authorities and police are about road safety, I called the highways department of Cheshire County Council to express concern at the number of heavy vehicles travelling down the centre of a narrow country lane in Sutton.
"I think some white lines or cats' eyes would help keep drivers on their own side of the lane," I commented.
"Sorry, can't be done," replied a CCC officer.
"Why not?"
"That lane is far too narrow for white lines."
"Surely, that's a good reason for marking the centre so that drivers know when they have strayed across?"
"Statistics show that really narrow lanes are much safer left unmarked."
I retired to consider that obscure piece of logic.
A couple of weeks later I was forced into the hedgerow by a huge lorry using the lane as a shortcut. Obviously the absence of white lines had not deterred the driver one iota. I called the highways department once more and suggested they implement a width/weight restriction.
"Sorry, can't be done."
"What?"
"It's a c-road and as such no restrictions can be enforced."
"So... this lane, far too narrow for white lines or cats' eyes, can be used by any size of vehicle without reference to width or weight whatsoever?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Even if it forces other vehicles off the road?"
"That's right."
"So, when some unsuspecting motorist is crushed beneath the wheels of a thundering great juggernaut that's okay?"
"Nothing we can do."
Millions are spent erecting speed cameras to 'prevent accidents' but a simple white line down the centre of a country lane is out of the question.
Just how committed are they to road safety?
- THE views on this page are those of Vic Barlow and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Express.
Most recent 2 of 3 user comments
I am a teacher, not a local roads supervisor and even I know that you cannot put a white line down the middle of a road unless it is a statutory width.
Drive more slowly and carefully. Oh, and thank your lucky stars that you don't drive every day in Cairo as I do these days.
Keep narrow roads narrow and difficult. It makes people concentrate! And the fat cats of Cheshire could do with a bit of that.
Do me a favour.
Scratch a Merc for me next time you pass the tricky bit.
16/11/2006 at 18:43
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17/11/2006 at 19:31