What this consultation is about
Working together with the Department of Transport, we have developed new proposals to improve road safety along the 9-mile stretch of the A5012 between Cromford (B5036) and Newhaven (A515).
Money for the improvements, worth around £2.2 million, has come from the Department for Transport's Safer Roads Fund (SRF) to improve safety along the 50 most dangerous roads in the country.
The safety improvements being considered for the A5012 Via Gellia route comprise:
- lowering the national speed limit section west of Grange Mill to 50mph and installing average speed cameras within the existing and extended 50mph section of the route to tackle excessive speeding
- installation of traffic signals at the Grange Mill crossroad
- improving the A5012 junction with Clatterway leading into Bonsall by narrowing the entry widths and building out kerb lines
- improving the A5012 and Friden junction by providing a ghost island right turn lane facility and making kerb line changes
- providing more durable road markings and introducing rain line markings to alert drivers to hazards ahead/adjacent
- reviewing and improving the road safety and junction signage along the route
- installing measures to better drain the carriageway by installing drainage systems or grips to improve runoff
- improving visibility around bends and at junctions by removing bushes and trees.
- installing crash barriers with motorcycle protection to prevent riders sliding underneath the barrier on major bends
- hardening the verges where public rights of way cross the A5012 to make it safer for walkers when waiting to cross
The various safety improvements are shown on the Safer Roads Fund A5012 Via Gellia - Cromford to Newhaven drawings (sheets 1 to 19). The proposals for the route will be assessed post consultation to determine whether they are suitable to proceed through into design and installation.
We have installed many safety improvements along the route in the past but the number of those killed or seriously injured remains high. With the lack of success of more traditional safety measures along the A5012 route to deliver the step change collision reduction sought by the Department for Transport, we believe that average speed cameras are the only viable alternative to changing driver behaviours.
The introduction of average speed cameras on over 260 sections of UK road demonstrates the number of collisions resulting in death or serious injury (KSI) typically drops by more than 50%, and personal injury collisions (PIC) drop by on average 50%. Installations have taken place on 20mph, 30mph, 40mph, 50mph, 60mph and national speed limit roads with driver behaviour being modified on every road type.
Installation work will not commence until the consultation feedback has been carefully assessed. We have other work planned along the A5012 route so will seek to co-ordinate activities to minimise inconvenience to the public. Work would start during the summer months and be progressed over the next 6 to 12 months.
As well as the questionnaire, there will be community engagement events on Thursday 2 March 2023 and Tuesday 14 March 2023 from 2pm to 8pm at Cromford Community Hall, 7-9 Market Place, Cromford, Matlock, DE4 3RE.