Cllr Bill Bowrey at the busy junction
Action is being taken to improve road safety at the junction of the A420 High Street and Alma Road in Kingswood after a spate of accidents in which people – including four children – have been hurt.
South Gloucestershire Council says that from 2009 to 2013 there were eight recorded accidents. Four involved injury to pedestrians on the A420, two of them children, and two involved injury to cyclists, both of whom were children. The other two involved collisions between vehicles making turns at the junction.
The council is now proposing a speed table at the junction of Alma Road and the High Street and another outside Sainsbury’s, near the junction of Crates Close, as well as extending the existing 20mph zone in the town centre to cover the junction and several side roads around The Park Primary School.
These measures aim to slow traffic and improve safety for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. The scheme also aims to improve safety for the school crossing patrol who assists pupils crossing the A420.
Commenting on behalf of local Labour councillors, Cllr Bill Bowrey (Kings Chase ward) said: “We have long fought for action to tackle the traffic and pedestrian safety problems at this busy junction on the A420, so we welcome the fact that firm proposals are now up for consultation.
“Apparently we cannot install traffic lights here as they would be too close to others already in place, so speed tables seem to be the only available option.
“Our children’s safety is paramount, so it is right that any scheme also deals with speed limits in the immediate vicinity of The Park Primary School.”
See the proposals under ‘Consultations’ on the council’s website. The deadline for comments is Monday 15th September.
