Inadequate road markings and signage on westbound carriageway. Danger of vehicles leaving road at speed and colliding with bridge abutment.

Updates

• Thank you for contacting National Highways concerning the road markings on the A66 at Longnewton.

  We shall look into this issue and aim to provide a response by 31 October.

  Can we please ask that you check back on this date for an update.

  Kind regards

  National Highways

  Posted anonymously at 10:26, Wed 13 October 2021

• Thank you for your patience whilst our inspector reviewed your report. His comments and findings are below.

  From a design perspective, the road is street lit, the radius of the curve is well within the standards and the centre line markings are warning lines indicating a hazard (a curve/exit and entry-slips). Because the road is street lit, no reflective road studs are required. The road is kerbed and doesn’t have edge of carriageway marginal strips and so no edge of carriageway markings are required. So in theory, there is no reason for the presence of an adverse road safety issue.

  We constantly monitor road safety across our entire network and I have examined the accident record for this location. No collisions have been recorded on the A66 WBC since 1 January 2016, which means that this is not a cluster site. Indeed our data shows only 3 incidents in this area, none of which were on the A66 WB. Consequently, the accident statistics at this location indicate that there is no significant road safety issue to resolve.

  However, despite the lack of evidence of incidents, there is clear evidence of a small amount of kerb overriding. Consequently, this issue has been passed to our asset management team for consideration. Whilst we have no evidence to justify a safety scheme, we can make safety enhancements via programmed renewal schemes.

  We are currently in the design stage of a barrier replacement scheme on this section of the A66 and we will investigate whether a realignment and/or extension of this barrier is appropriate to enhance safety at this location. The barrier scheme is programmed for delivery in financial year 2022/23.

  The asset team will also look into the possibility of enhancing the road markings and potentially adding some road studs. Whilst road studs are not required on street lit roads, they may well enhance safety by giving an even clearer edge definition. This aspect however, is unlikely to be delivered until 2023/24 at the earliest.

  In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the safety performance at this location.

  If you require any further update on this issue our Customer Contact Centre is available 24 hours a day at: • 0300 123 5000

  • info@highwaysengland.co.uk

  Please quote 22081874 to discuss this matter further.

  Kind regards National Highways

  State changed to: Closed

  Posted by National Highways at 13:16, Tue 2 November 2021
  Moderated by National Highways at 13:17, Tue 2 November 2021