Radipole & Southill
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New traffic scheme attracts comment
THE new traffic scheme for Radipole Bridge is nearly complete.
But there have been comments and questions concerning the new traffic layout in the village.
Traffic lights for the bridge were ruled out in the early stages following a feasibility study of options on behalf of Dorset County Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.
The recommendation was that a series of traffic calming features together with pedestrian improvements be implemented in an effort to reduce the speed, size and numbers of traffic running through the village that perhaps ought to be using the main roads.
The signals idea had significant cost implications and there were problems with incorporating driveways within the controlled area.
Furthermore speeds of vehicles when getting the green light would have increased in the knowledge that nothing is coming the other way to the detriment of pedestrians, cyclist and residents alike.
This was certainly the case when we used traffic control signals for part of the works.
The chosen option proposed the narrowing to the south and the pinch point to the north of the river on the approaches.
This was then detailed up and put through an independent stage 1 - 2 safety audit and findings taken into account. Provided motorists that approach the priority features do so at a reduced speed and are prepared to stop and wait then there should be no problem. It is these elements of speed reduction and delay that are some of the key benefits that the scheme seeks.
Throughout the works the increasing number of pedestrians including schoolchildren using the route have been noted and this seems to be carrying on since re-opening to traffic now that areas of new or improved footways have also been provided.
All in all, this is a very elaborate scheme and it is to be hoped that it proves to be successful. Time will tell.
THE Carlton Road Band plays at venues throughout the borough and was formed by the community resource team in order to encourage group members to focus outside of themselves, to become more confident, feel more valued and to enjoy making music.
Weymouth and Portland Hospitals League of Friends bus provides transport for the band as well as Melcombe Day Hospital and groups from other local centres.
LAST year the vandalism in Lodmoor Country Park resulted in park benches being damaged to the extent that they had to be removed.
It has been suggested that concrete blocks could be a cheap and effective way of providing a vandal-proof resting-place for people who wish to sit and enjoy the park scenery.
It is important that the vandals should not be allowed to win, by preventing law-abiding people from enjoying the facilities, so it will be regrettable if the only seating that can survive in the area is so uncomfortable that no-one wants to sit down and so unsightly that the beauty of the park becomes spoilt.
It is hoped that some repaired seating will be provided within the next few weeks.
10:29am Thursday 17th April 2008
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