Water-filled barriers to test traffic calming on A354
They're on the way in Milborne St Andrew, in a Dorset Council trial
Water filled barriers will be used to try out a scheme to slow cars down in Milborne St Andrew.
Dorset Council is considering narrowing the A354 to make it safer for pedestrians and make sure vehicles stick to the 30 mph speed limit.
The barriers filled with water will be installed next week (from Monday 14th October) and used to test the traffic management scheme out, to see if it works.
There'll also be temporary signs, to resemble a permanent design and provide ‘real-time’ data.
Councillor Jon Andrews, Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Place Services, said:
“Following a traffic management study, the parish council asked us to develop a design to enhance the pedestrian environment while helping to manage traffic through the village centre.
“If a permanent installation was constructed now and it proved unsuccessful or problematic, it would be difficult and costly to remove. This temporary layout will save this expense and unnecessary inconvenience for drivers.
“If it is successful, the parish council will liaise with residents before finalising any permanent plans.
“We thank everyone for their patience while we carry out this trial.”
Wayne Lewin, Parish Clerk for Milborne St Andrew Parish Council, said:
“The Parish Council is delighted to be working in partnership with Dorset Council in aiming to achieve the primary strategic objective of the 2019 Neighbourhood Plan.
“This traffic calming project will slow down vehicles and improve pedestrian safety along the very busy A354.”
Data will start being collected for two weeks, starting on Monday 21st October.
That time frame's been chosen to gather information during school holidays as well as during a ‘normal’ working week.
There'll be three cameras and a speed radar in place to record queue lengths, driver behaviour within the narrowed section and collect speed data.
It will run between the footway, which will stay open, and the road.
The structure will make a ‘give and take’ single file lane, with eastbound drivers giving way to vehicles from the west.
It's due to be removed on Friday 1st November, for the data to be assessed.