Road safety measures at The Pecking Mill Corner
Road safety at The Pecking Mill corner has been a cause of concern for local people for a long time. I have made it one of my priority areas, since being elected in May 2022, to investigate the issues and find solutions. I have met with local residents, consulted with the police, Somerset Highways and Evercreech Parish Council repeatedly. My thoughts are with local people, their families and friends, who have been impacted by incidents at this corner.
At the beginning of the year we installed roadside monitoring rings to gather data and track car speeds along the A371, from the Bath and West Showground southwards through Pecking Mill and Southwood to the junction of Wyke Champflower.
Based on the results Somerset Highways and the Police have agreed to extend the existing 40mph.
A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) has now been issued and is being advertised, in line with The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
Subject to no objections being received the aim is to have the extended speed limit scheme in place around October 2023.
It has also been proposed to be included in the 2024 / 2025 surface dressing programme, which should improve the skid resistance of the road surface in the longer term.
As this work won’t be completed until next financial year, in the interim, the Area Highways team are also organising for the existing surface to be retextured to restore the skid resistance, and help to reduce the risk of collisions occurring, alongside of the planned speed limit reduction.
As well as remedial action to the road surface, regarding the ongoing concerns over camber/alignment on the corner the highways team are continuing to look at this further, although this assessment will take a bit longer.
I am continuing to speak to the Parish Council and Somerset Highways about installing a Speed Indicator Device on the bend. But such devices are usually not used as a permanent solution.
I will continue to work with the police, Somerset Highways, Evercreech Parish Council and support local residents.
While I appreciate the efforts being made by everyone concerned, no amount of extended speed limits will stop people driving too fast on this bend.
The camber is obviously an issue and shoul be addressed first.
Speed limits are not the answer.
There is an area of scrubby hedge on the left hand side of the road just above and opposite the Pecking Mill junction. This impedes clear vision around the bend for people crossing to the right onto Pecking Mill Lane
It should be completely removed because it is not managed
Hi Carole
I’ve reported this. Thank you for letting me know.
Claire Sully
Great news.
I also have theory as to why on the Pecking Mill Inn side of the road vehicles run into the Stone shed/wall.
The white lines on the bend outer side do not follow the road as they end.So if you are following the lines they will guide you towards the stone structure.,I can take pictures if you need to see my meaning.
Hi Sam
Thank you for your feedback on this, will mention this to the Highways Officers.