Petition
Wednesday 1 April 2009
OBSERVATIONS
Transport
Traffic Management (Somerset)
The Petition of concerned motorists, and others,
Declares that the traffic lights at the junction of the A39 and off to the Dunster Steep change far too quickly; and further declares that there should be a camera operating at this junction, to help manage the lights.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Transport to take action to improve the management of the traffic lights at this junction.
And the Petitioners remain, etc. —[Presented by Mr. Ian Liddell-Grainger , Official Report, 11 March 2009; Vol. 489, c. 404 .]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport:
The Secretary of State has responsibility for the trunk road network and motorway in England. The A39 is a local road for which Somerset County Council (SCC) has responsibility. The provision of traffic management measures and operation of traffic signals on these roads is for them to consider.
I understand that SCC are investigating the operation of the traffic signals at the junction of the A39 and Dunster Steep, with the view to resolving any operational and timing issues.
The traffic lights on the A39 are on a high speed road, that is where the 85th percentile approach speeds at a junction are 35mph (56 km/h) or above. The advice issued (in the form of Traffic Advisory Leaflets) by the Department to local authorities gives guidance on signal-control at junctions on high-speed roads (TAL 2/03) and on the general principle of traffic signal control by light signals (TAL 12/06).
| Index | Home Page |