We recently had a Zoom meeting with a Devon County Council Road Safety Officer to discuss the issues to do with Road Safety along the A385. Here is the report of the meeting.

If you have any thoughts about these matters do let the Parish Council have them.

 

Report of the meeting to discuss safety issues along the A385

4^th February 2021

Present via Zoom: DCC Road Safety Officer Nigel Flower, DCC Cllr Richard Hosking, Rattery Cllrs Rob Hatt, (Chair), Lynda Jopson, Peter Smerdon and Lisa Wensley.

 

The meeting discussed three issues.

1.       Rattery Mill Junction

a.       The data indicates that the junction functions well when compared with other junctions in Devon.

b.       Some improvements could be made:

                                                               i.      Historical photographs show how much vegetation has encroached and visibility would be much better if landowners cut back trees and other vegetation. In the first instance the Parish Council will contact the landowners, in the main Network Rail, to instigate this work. This will also be an opportunity to ask for the parapet on the eastern side of the junction to be repaired.

                                                             ii.      The warning signs would be more noticeable if they were on a yellow background. The Parish Council will discuss the practicalities of this course of action with our local DCC Highways Officer.

c.       Two other ideas, adjusting the road markings and a one-way system, were discussed but rejected.

 

2.       The safety of bus passengers

a.       Concerns were raised about the safety of school children who use both school and public buses daily. These matters will be raised, by the Parish Council, with the appropriate officers of DCC (School Transport and Transport Coordination).

 

3.       The overall safety of the A385 across the parish

a.       The data places this stretch of road as 113^th in Devon in terms of safety concerns. From a safety point of view the road is performing well and does not meet the criteria for a reduced speed limit.

b.       The clearing of trees and hedgerows along the road (see above) would make some marginal improvements in terms of visibility.

c.       Concerns were shared about the inevitable increase in traffic generated by and the general volume on what is the main arterial route between Plymouth and Torbay and, in particular, the housing development in Dartington. Strategic route management is primarily the concern of Highways England and the Parish Council will make inquiries with Highways England about the possibilities of encouraging HGV traffic to use alternative routes more suited to larger vehicles.

d.       The question of a safety barrier by Hatchlands Trout Farm and drainage problems will by referred initially by the Parish Council to our local DCC Highways Officer.