Thornhill road 40mph
Discussion
So the 40mph signs went up on Thornhill Road yesterday, extending the previous 40mph zone northwards from where it used to end (just north of the crematorium) to half way up the steep part of the hill, just after the New House hotel.
Apparently this was due to accidents at the junction with Capel Gwilym rd.
As usual they've just gone for the speed reduction instead of helping drivers by making the junction more visible or warning them of the junction, improving the road surface etc
I bet in the Summer the grass along the verge between Thornhill Rd and the layby on the approach to that junction southbound will still be 2 feet tall as you approach making the it difficult for drivers to see each other (see Google Earth image at street-level - and that's from a high-level camera on top of a van) and the road surface at the junction will still be rubbish and there will still be no signs warning of the upcoming junction.
So, vehicles will still collide but yes the 40mph reduction will help in that the colliding vehicles won't be travelling so fast. Brilliant Cardiff Coucil Highways, well done !
It's the same with the sharp bend at the New House. This is a 60mph road with a pretty sharp bend at the bottom of a steep hill. There have been numerous crashes on that bend, including fatals but the Council still only have one small cheveron sign there, on the bend. No sharp bend warning sign on the approach, no advisory speed board. There should be multiple cheverons. I guess the think by extending the 40mph zone up the hill, that will help. There is however a sign to warn of the junction into the New House hotel, which is clearly much more important (hazardous agreed but come on) ?!
Who makes these decisions ? It beggars belief IMHO.
Apparently this was due to accidents at the junction with Capel Gwilym rd.
As usual they've just gone for the speed reduction instead of helping drivers by making the junction more visible or warning them of the junction, improving the road surface etc
I bet in the Summer the grass along the verge between Thornhill Rd and the layby on the approach to that junction southbound will still be 2 feet tall as you approach making the it difficult for drivers to see each other (see Google Earth image at street-level - and that's from a high-level camera on top of a van) and the road surface at the junction will still be rubbish and there will still be no signs warning of the upcoming junction.
So, vehicles will still collide but yes the 40mph reduction will help in that the colliding vehicles won't be travelling so fast. Brilliant Cardiff Coucil Highways, well done !
It's the same with the sharp bend at the New House. This is a 60mph road with a pretty sharp bend at the bottom of a steep hill. There have been numerous crashes on that bend, including fatals but the Council still only have one small cheveron sign there, on the bend. No sharp bend warning sign on the approach, no advisory speed board. There should be multiple cheverons. I guess the think by extending the 40mph zone up the hill, that will help. There is however a sign to warn of the junction into the New House hotel, which is clearly much more important (hazardous agreed but come on) ?!
Who makes these decisions ? It beggars belief IMHO.
Funny you should say that Wwesty, I saw a police van there only 1 day after they changed teh speed limit, no cameras but seemingly surveying the layby to see whether it was an "opportunity".
To be fair, the council have now painted some white stripes and a "SLOW" on the approach to the sharp bend. That'll be useful at night when the road is all wet, i.e. the exact conditions when a driver could do with that information. What's wrong with a sharp bend sign ? Coming north there is no indication at all, even the chevron isn't visible. Class.
I wouldn't mind betting that some of this is due to there being no joined up thinking between Caerphilly and Cardiff Councils - the border between the 2 councils is around that point and getting them to agree to a joint scheme and appropriate funding is probably the issue.
I well recall the 10:30 trip up the mountain to the Travellers rest for that extra half an hour of drinking (well being in a pub anyway!).
I well recall the 10:30 trip up the mountain to the Travellers rest for that extra half an hour of drinking (well being in a pub anyway!).
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