Worcestershire Road Safety Argument has National Implications

An argument has broken out between the Highways Agency and a Worcestershire councillor. The councillor claims that “ridiculous” road safety measures are stifling local businesses.

Councillor Fran Oborski made her comments in relation to a stretch of the A449 between Worcester and Kidderminster.

The restrictions enforced include a 50mph speed limit and ‘pinch points’, a section of road in which dual carriageway is replaced by single carriageway to slow traffic and restrict flow.

Commenting on the situation, Coun. Oborski said: “[The restrictions have] made it difficult for businesses in Wyre Forest. Everything down from Hartlebury to not far north of Worcester has been reduced unnecessarily to single carriageway. The road didn’t kill anyone. It was motorists driving at inappropriate speeds for the conditions.”

However statistics indicate that the measures have worked; there were 15 serious accidents and three fatal accidents between 1991 and 2000, but only three serious accidents and one fatal accident between 2001 and 2010.

The argument has garnered national interest, as councillors and local businesses consider whether road restrictions in their local area are necessary, or whether they are proving detrimental to business growth in the area, at a time when the economy is at its most vulnerable.

Andrew Kwan, Head of Litigation at Clear Law Solicitors, one of the country’s foremost road traffic accident solicitors, said: “Unless we start to spend more time testing and retesting our drivers or we spend more money on policing our roads, measures like this are going to be necessary if we want to decrease the number of serious accidents on roads throughout the country.

“There are always going to be careless drivers, and if the police and the testing system can’t stop them, maybe the roads can.

“It is unfortunate that such measures are perceived to be affecting local business, but at the end of the day human lives must come first.”

Wyre Forest District Council has announced that it will be investigating concerns over traffic flow restrictions on the A449.

Manchester’s Clear Law Solicitors specialise in car accident claims, whiplash injury claims and road traffic accident claims. Call the firm on 0808 120 9608 or visit its website at: http://www.clearlawonline.co.uk

Contact Information

Andrew Kwan

Head of Litigation

Clear Law Solicitors

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