Safety & Best Practice Recommendations Ignored

No Feasibility Study

2007-03-29T01:51:00.000-07:00

A simple formal requirement to assess the overall feasibilty of the scheme. Taking everything in to consideration.

No Risk Assessement

2007-03-29T01:50:00.000-07:00

This process looks at the risks involved in a new scheme. Documented, produced and available for public consumption this allows all parties to make a sensible decision and/or adjustments to the plan to increase levels of safety. If a risk assessment had taken place I am sure this plan would not have been implemented. Perhaps this is why DCC decided against it. It seems that they want the bus lane no matter what the costs!

No Road Safety Audit

2007-03-29T01:49:00.000-07:00

The need for Road Safety Audit of new highway schemes was implicit in the 1974 Road Traffic Act as part of the statutory duty placed on Local Authorities and re-inforced by the 1988 Act. This is in place to ensure that people are not put in danger. DCC have ignored this guideline.

Ommitted Essential Data from Consultation

2007-03-29T01:48:00.000-07:00

Prior to the implementation of a new road scheme the local authority must present the plan to the general public this is called a Consultation. This plan should outline all the details to ensure that people make a sensible and informed decision. People can then log objections or agree. The list on this page outlines what was left out of the consulation stage. This includes information about risk, road safety, lane width guidelines and the overall environmental impacts.

No Consolidated Report Provided

2007-03-29T01:47:00.000-07:00

Once the consultation has taken place and objectors letters and correspondance have been recieved it is the local authority's obligation to formulate a report that justifies the reason why the plan is going ahead despite the objections. This is called a Consolidated Report. This must be sent to objectors prior to the scheme's implementation. If this doesn't happen it demonstrates total disregard for the concerns logged and is extremely bad practice.

No Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

2007-03-29T01:46:00.000-07:00

An EIA should be written prior to the implementation of a new road scheme. This is a regluation set down by the Highway (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2006 and part of the European Communuties Act 1972. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an important procedure for ensuring that the likely effects of new development on the environment are fully understood and taken into account before the development is allowed to go ahead. Although we have asked DCC for this they have failed to provide it and have requested five days to produce it. This would demonstrate that an EIA has not been undertaken and it is now being written retrospectively. This was not present at the consultation.

Disregarded Dft Lane Width Guidelines

2007-03-29T01:45:00.000-07:00

The Department of Transport produces clear guidence and for local authorities to ensure schemes are delivered safely. The lane width guidelines as the other parts of this website demonstrate have been completely ignored. 4.5m preferred, 3m mimimum. In some parts measured on Duffield Road the widths are down to 2.8m. DCC tell us that this is a mistake but they have also said that they think this is acceptable. Which is it? We believe that this configuration is unsafe and will result in accidents. When accidents happen DCC will be held accountable.

Ignored Design Bulletin 32

2007-03-29T01:44:00.000-07:00

Design Bulletin 32 is another DfT document that outlines best practice in residential areas related to road planning and ultimately safety. It simply outlines sensible safe guidelines for residents and non road users. This includes guidlines on resedential road access, pavements and junctions. None of these guidelines have been taken in to consideration.