A36 closure Limpley stoke. Risk assessments
Case reference FOI2024/00943
Received 30 August 2024
Published 6 November 2024
Request
In relation to the current closure of the a36 at Limpley Stoke, could national highways please confirm what risk assessments have been undertaken in respect of the impact of the closure on the local highway network and provide copies.
This should include the local roads in Limpley Stoke notably Middle Stoke, Church Lane, Crowe Hill, Lower Stoke and Midford lane.
Traffic associated with the current closure is posing a significant risk to other road users, pedestrians and cyclists in particular, using these roads. Both are vulnerable in these areas owing to narrow pavements, no pavements and single roads with passing places.
Can National Highways confirm what measures have been taken to ensure their safety throughout the duration of the closure.
Many school children walk to school along these routes. Can national highways confirm what engagement there has been with local educational settings and whether additional measures are planned to enhance safety during periods of the day when children are likely to be present on the local road network during their journeys to and from school.
Please also confirm what mechanisms are in place to review the safety of pedestrians in the area above throughout the closure period? Thank you in advance
Response
No specific risk assessment was undertaken on the diversion routes and possible impact on local roads or unofficial diversion routes. This is not something that is possible to model as it is not possible to predict human behaviour through the very permeable rural road network. The diversion route was selected because a trunk route or better was required for the diverted traffic.
National Highways have met with the school and governors on multiple occasions and have been helping with both the issues caused by the increased traffic as well as the pre-existing congestion issues on the local roads around the school. Measures such as providing funding for the 94 bus for children and parents on the school run to and from the school, provision of high visibility vests and lights for the children, provision of cones and signs to the school. We have helped the school with communicating messages to the parents and will continue to engage with the headteacher and the school governors.
We have been in touch with Wiltshire police and have asked for PCs to visit the area and provide a presence and speed enforcement. They are looking into this and what they can offer.
Documents
This is National Highways' response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.