Make a road one way?

MrLogical

Hi all, I have a small country road that runs behind my home. I have lived here for just over a year but in this time, I’ve noticed an increased amount of traffic and numerous accidents. 

It’s a long and winding road. Two cars cannot pass by one another on most parts of it with one often needing to reverse into the entrance to someone’s home to let the other through. 

People chance this (it’s a 2-3 min drive) as if you don’t encounter another vehicle, it’s the fastest way to get through to another area of town. 

With other, wider roads allowing the same journey close by, do you think I could get anywhere with requesting this road becomes a one way road or even a no through road for residents only with say bollards in the middle? Has anyone managed to do this before? Thanks.

Grey_Critic

Have a similar problem where I live but does not bother me. One problem is it has become a rat run as there are schools at each end.

I have had several meetings with the local councillors about putting in traffic calming and they have tried. The problem is the counvil say unless there is a serious accident they will do nothing.

Basically all you can do is ask.

theoretica

Not quite the same, but we have had a couple of instances round here where we have had yellow lines painted where we want them, and the program on traffic lights changed.  My suggestion would be to have a considered proposal and second choice rather than just 'do something' (if one way - which way, why, if bollards - where) and be able to demonstrate broad support - how many people on the road support it/don't mind/object.  Then - if you have one - a talk with your local councillor to get them on side.  Also show you have considered potential issues - does the bin lorry go down there, which way, how would that work with bollards?

SiliconChip

As Grey_Critic has intimated a crucial element is getting your local councillor(s) on your side, with then it'll be a difficult process, without them I'd say you have very limited chances of success. They have access to the council officials and potentially to funds that would be needed to implement any scheme.

I've worked for years with my local councillor to try to find solutions to traffic and parking issues around drop off and pick up times at the nearby primary school and while we've had some minor work done that has helped a little it's proved very difficult to get anything significant done - a key issue is that the views of residents have to be taken into account, most won't be bothered one way or the other, and unless you can persuade an absolute majority (i.e. more than 50% of residents rather than 50% of respondents) to support your proposals the council probably won't do anything.

Good luck, but don't expect anything to happen quickly.

MrLogical

Thank you very much to all for your replies. Some excellent advice and good points to consider in here. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Stubod

..took our local council 3 years to get a speed limit sign moved 50 yards further down the road, not anybody's fault, just the "normal" process..

Brewer21

Similar situation but it's mainly a speeding problem. A 40mph road used as a through route on. It's been asked to lower the speed to 30mph to no avail. Speed cameras (vans) have been done, in the wrong places and the police were advised where to position themselves. Even had a local watch group try to set up speed cameras, got the police involved, nothing came of it so far 
In the years we have lived by the road, one child hit and killed a few years ago, a car left the road and demolished a fence, numerous accidents with cars at  the t junction entering the road. Last year a nurse killed, again at the junction to the road but on another 40 mph road. That was caused by a drunk driver in one of the two cars involved.
Nothing has been changed by the council as little as reducing the speed to a 30 limit may help, that seems too difficult save for a few signs being changed.

sevenhills

In my local town a road has been closed, much to the concern of locals that live on the surrounding roads.

There has been a campaign to reopen this road, the highways department state that having it as a one way would allow faster traffic, which they do not want.

ontheroad1970

You want electric powered bollards to stop people rat running down a road by you?  Good Luck with that...

MrLogical

ontheroad1970 said:

You want electric powered bollards to stop people rat running down a road by you?  Good Luck with that...

I never said anything about electric. Permanent. Good old concrete.

ontheroad1970

MrLogical said:

ontheroad1970 said:

You want electric powered bollards to stop people rat running down a road by you?  Good Luck with that...

I never said anything about electric. Permanent. Good old concrete.

You're still talking capital expenditure that the council would argue the situation doesn't inconvenience many people.  It would have to be done in a way that allowed emergency access if necessary.