Does Julian's Bridge In Wimborne Need Traffic Controls?
By DomCar | Monday, January 09, 2012, 21:42
Last Friday the 6th January a lorry collided with a wall at Julian's Bridge, causing its closure for four days while the damage was repaired.
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Does Julian’s Bridge In Wimborne Need Traffic Controls?
I read with interest the debate on the Echo website where it was suggested the flow of traffic across the bridge needed to be moderated.
If this were the case, what would the options be?
First up is the current weight restriction. Could this be reduced, especially considering the bridge was originally built in 1636 when the heaviest thing to drive over it would a herd of cows or a horse and cart? Perhaps the weight limit could be dropped to 7 tonnes, ensuring only smaller lorries could use the bridge?
Another suggestion is to make the bridge single file with traffic lights controlling the flow over it. Or would this be a waste of time? The bridge is a little narrow and does help to regulate traffic speed, but if there were traffic lights they would only cause traffic tail back into town.
Another question was raised about making it easier for pedestrians to cross, but as someone pointed out there are pedestrian safe stops already.
If anything does, or is likely to change it probably won't be the bridge, as it was suggested it has a conservation order to protect it.
Or maybe it was just driver error and it should be left at that.
Comments
I have been informed the closure caused a great deal of chaos on Monday, especially as the Square revamp started and traffic was backed up quite a way during rush hour. I believe the bridge has now reopened with a single lane and traffic lights while the repairs are finished.
By DomCar at 18:28 on 10/01/12
ReportIt was great on Sunday, walked the kids and the dogs down to he roundabout then over the fields to the eye bridge.
THEN Monday arrives, and even though Julian's bridge is still closed, they decide to start painting the roads around the square, gridlock, loads of frustration and general chaos. Couldn't they have delayed the start of the square works by a couple of hours to let the traffic cope? Nope, instead there was gridlock for 2 hours, loads of people late for work and school. No common sense especially when it' seems to be such a sensitive scheme.
As for the bridge, it amazing there arent anymore accidents
By nevillefedthegoat at 23:31 on 09/01/12
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