Council maintains pressure to address A49 safety issues

Herefordshire Council has received the results of a study commissioned by the Highways Agency, looking at the options for improving safety on the A49 at the notorious Ashton bends.

The study, carried out by AmeyMouchel – the company that manages this route on behalf of the Highways Agency – has recommended a range of safety measures.

The recommended safety measures include a 40mph speed limit, a vehicle activated sign for southbound traffic, new warning signs, road markings and resurfacing.

These recommendations will now have to be considered in more detail by the Highways Agency before any decisions are taken on exactly which measures can be introduced and over what timescale.

Members of the Council’s Environment Scrutiny Committee were told of these latest developments at their meeting on Monday, March 27, when the Director of Environment, Graham Dunhill, reported back from his latest meeting with Highways Agency senior staff.

Members were also advised of recommendations to introduce a 50mph speed limit further south on the A49 at Wellington Marsh and a 30mph limit at Holmer on the A49.

“I am pleased that the Highways Agency appears to have made some progress towards addressing our concerns about the dangers of this route,” said Cllr Wilcox, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation).

“The Ashton bends stretch of the A49 has been a cause for concern for sometime, three people were killed in that area in 2004 and the Council regularly receives calls from worried residents.

“I’m a little disappointed that there is still no firm indication of when we can expect to see improvements on the ground.

“We will be maintaining pressure on the Highways Agency to deal with the concerns of the Council and local communities about the safety of the A49,” he added.