We’ve had a very high response for the Neighbourhood Plan questionnaire and concerns expressed about this road – it is and has been causing headaches for many years.
The chairman, vice chairman and Clerk met with Dorsets Council’s portfolio lead for Highways and two Road Safety Officers at 8am one wet and drizzly morning in February. The purpose was to view the ‘first attempt’ to alleviate some of this road’s problems.
The signage was installed around 9 months ago, (the cheapest option of their report’s recommendations) but issues still persist. We walked the road from the Horton Inn to the bottom of the hill pointing out:
- Horton Inn (opposite) road narrow sign is too near the junction to be read
- The bridge signs do not indicate a single carriageway. Further the bridge fencing hasn’t been repaired having been reported in January 2025.
- Signage before the pumping station was not upright and gets covered with bushes
- Pumping station bend – road makings are not evenly spaced either side – too narrow on the inner curve. Evidence of car parts on the verge from incidents!
- Second bend – too short a distance to the hill, cars come around the corner too quick before breaking, single carriageway sign partially obscured by a tree
- The hill – cars not giving way, car parts by the side of the road, tyre marks on the verge where vehicle mounted the kerb, ……
On each of the areas, dangerous driving and a couple of near misses as well as not giving way was evident, which reinforced the Parish Council’s concern.
A full review will be undertaken in June/July. Accidents, bashes and scrapes, near misses all need to be reported to Dorset Council (or advise the Clerk: Clerk@valeofallen-pc.gov.uk) to add to their data.