Need to improve Road Safety

At the Parish Council meeting on the 7th March, large numbers of parishioners attending to make their views known about the problems of the junction of Old Neighbourhood and the A419. Max Strover, a Parish Councillor proposed that Chalford Parish Counicl write to Gloucestershire Council Highways and ask them to reinstate the traffic lights that were there after the latest accident at the junction when the road need to be closed for repairs. Debbie who was at the meeting agreed that the junction is a real problem, but that there are other issues as well, such as speeding along the A419, and lines of sight to the junction, specifically from the Cirencester direction.

Debbie has campaigned for many years to improve safety at the junction particularly with children walking up to the school. The narrow pavement which is also obstructed is dangerous when children are going to and from Christchurch and numerous incidents have been report of parents being hit by wing mirrors.

Debbie said " There are several issues here, some of which cannot be changed due to the physical constraints of the road and footpath, but some changes can be made. One of those is driver behaviiour and I have urged the school previously to take part in the Police campaign whereby school children admonish drivers for their poor behaviour, as this has been particularly effective in other areas. There are things that can be done and I am happy to take some of these issues forward"