|
New signs for motorists driving through rural areas |
‘Gateways’ are soon to be introduced into two rural areas in the borough, as part of a road safety scheme set up by the borough council.
One of the aims of the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's ‘streets for people, roads for cars'’ initiative is to introduce ‘gateways', which involve enhanced signing and road markings to warn motorists that they are approaching a rural village or town.
Following consultation with St Mary Bourne Parish Council and Whitchurch Town Council, schemes have been developed to construct gateways in the most effective locations in both areas. It is hoped that work on both of these projects will be finished before the end of April 2007.
Gateways are intended to emphasize the fact that the motorist is entering a rural or built up area, where the features of the road and surroundings may change. They act as a warning to motorists and encourage them to slow down. By combining the village name with the gateway it also helps to establish the ‘presence’ of that place in the mind of the visitor or passing motorist or cyclist.
The council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport Cllr Horace Mitchell said: “The design and placement of gateways is a good example of co-operation between the borough council, parish or town councils and local communities.
“In this as in all aspects of our planning and transport work, my aim is that we establish a good partnership with local people, with a strong emphasis on safer roads around the borough.”
When deciding where the new gateways were to be placed, several factors were taken into account. These included traffic speeds and volumes, as well as schools, local shops and older people’s homes in close proximity to the road.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed
|