WiG Parish Council
Aug 11, 20214 min
The following letter was delivered to households in the vicinity of Cadbury Lane and Hill Lane junctions with Clevedon Road, on 10th August 2021, concerning significant risks identified by Weston-in-Gordano Parish Council
To the occupier,
We are writing to all residents living in close proximity to a junction with Clevedon Road, to raise awareness of serious risks which have been identified at the top of Cadbury Lane and the bottom of Hill Lane.
The parking situation at the top of Cadbury Lane has been the talking point at several Parish Council meetings and the subject of a working party, set up to specifically investigate a multitude of reported issues and incidents. We have had multiple accidents and near misses in recent months, including one incident where an emergency vehicle could not pass. We have witnessed queues of traffic from both ends of the village attempting to navigate the junction, becoming gridlocked and threatening the ability of emergency vehicles to get through.
Vehicles emerging from Cadbury Lane have very little visibility of traffic coming from the Clevedon side due to the wall and parked vehicles compound this lack of visibility even more. Furthermore, vehicles have become stuck attempting to pull out of Cadbury Lane, due to vehicle(s) parking too close to the junction.
Equally, cars parked at the bottom of Hill Lane create a tight gap for a fire engine or ambulance to navigate. As with Cadbury Lane, the reduction in visibility caused by parked cars creates risk when pulling out onto the busy main road.
An accident at either of these locations could not only involve vehicles, but cyclists and pedestrians. Limiting the passage of emergency vehicles could easily cost someone crucial time in receiving aid.
It’s also prudent to raise awareness concerning speed limits in both Cadbury Lane and Hill Lane. These are both 20 mph limits. Both locations have seen excessive speeds. Coupled with the dangerous parking we now have two very high-risk areas within our village.
Therefore, while we recognise that adequate parking for all has been a longstanding issue within the village, our holistic view of our community must prioritise the safety and wellbeing of fellow people, the road users and pedestrians. I am sure nobody in our community would wish, to cause an accident or indeed prevent an emergency vehicle’s safe passage, potentially leading to loss of life or harm.
The go-to reference material for parking is The Highway Code which, while not law itself, is backed up by law for many of its instructions. The relevant sections are included in their entirety overleaf.
Where the instruction starts MUST NOT, these points are supported by the law. Where the instruction starts DO NOT, they are guidance. Between local authorities (North Somerset Council) and the Police, much of the highway code is enforced in some way.
Note: Where speeding or noncompliance with the highway code are contributors to an accident there may be implications for owner’s car insurance.
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242 You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road.
Laws RTA 1988, sect 22 & CUR reg 103
243 DO NOT stop or park
near a school entrance
anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services
at or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank
on the approach to a level crossing/tramway crossing
opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
opposite a traffic island or (if this would cause an obstruction) another parked vehicle
where you would force other traffic to enter a tram lane
where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles
in front of an entrance to a property
on a bend
where you would obstruct cyclists’ use of cycle facilities except when forced to do so by stationary traffic.
248 You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space. Laws CUR reg 101 & RVLR reg 24
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The Parish Council is requesting all residents near junctions consider the above guidance, the law and potential impact and risks caused by inconsiderate parking and speeding, adjusting behaviour accordingly.
In addition, if you spot potentially dangerous parking, causing a hazard or obstruction, please report it to the Police. Avon and Somerset Police consider an obstruction or hazard to be:
· parking in a dangerous position such as on zig zag lines or other pedestrian crossings
· parking opposite or within ten metres of a junction
· parking over a dropped kerb
· blocking a road or pavement which causes pedestrians to enter the road
· preventing you from being able to park or get your vehicle off your driveway (try to find the owner and ask them to move the vehicle, before reporting)
· preventing emergency vehicles from accessing an area
Full instructions can be found here www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/parking-issues/ or you can call 101
Working together, being vigilant and calling out risks, we can ensure a safe environment for all.
Many Thanks,
Weston-in-Gordano Parish Council (WIG.ParishCouncilClerk@outlook.com)