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Clarkson blows a gasket over Spur Road as shift in works causes chaos (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Clarkson blows a gasket over Spur Road as shift in works causes chaos
8:30am Monday 23rd November 2009
OUTSPOKEN Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has stepped into the row over the Bournemouth Spur road as highway chiefs meet to discuss whether to stop work at weekends in the run-up to Christmas.
In the last two weeks, sections of the southbound carriageway of the A338 have been reduced to one lane, causing long delays for commuters and shoppers, as preparations are made for a £26 million refurbishment next year. The work includes removing wildlife from the verges, which are home to all six species of native reptiles in the UK, including slow worms.
Clarkson lambasted road chiefs in his Sun column at the weekend, accusing them of “closing a lane of the A338 for seven miles so some worms could be rehoused.”
He added: “Closing a road should be a last resort. Getting it open as soon as possible should be the number one priority. And worms do not matter.” (Oddly, the piece was accompanied by a picture of an earthworm.) All the reptiles in question are protected under UK law, and two – the smooth snake and sand lizard – have additional European protection.
In an attempt to alleviate concerns from businesses in Christchurch, Poole and Bournemouth, Dorset County Council today switched the work to the northbound carriageway. This will continue until the New Year, when the work will switch back to the southbound carriageway.
Additional calls have been made to stop work at weekends to put an end to traffic queues for Christmas shoppers.
Project manager David Diaz said they will be meeting today to discuss the issue and should be able to confirm the revised works by the end of the week.
Traffic was gridlocked this morning as drivers were caught out by the shift in works to the northbound carriageway of the A338.
The move was intended to alleviate pressure on traffic coming in to the town, but the Wessex Way was at a standstill between St Paul's and Cooper Dean roundabouts in both directions.
Queues to get on to the now-single lane A338 northbound stretched back as far as Richmond Hill, and northbound traffic diverting via St Paul's was causing long hold-ups for people coming in to Bournemouth.
Well done to all who spotted the spelling mistake in the first paragraph of this story: it should of course read highway chiefs, not highway chefs.
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Your Say YourEcho
Lord Spring, says...
8:19am Mon 23 Nov 09
If you lived in Cumbria you would have more to contend with than a one lane closure or a half mile diverson to cross a railway line
bisadave, Bournemouth says...
8:30am Mon 23 Nov 09
Close the road for a couple of hours - apply liberally and hey presto you have cleared the undergrowth and trees instantly.
And when the road opens why not sell barbequed morsels from the lay-by?
Simples :)
PHew, Bournemouth says...
8:32am Mon 23 Nov 09
grumps999, Kinson says...
8:38am Mon 23 Nov 09
ppadam, ringwood says...
8:59am Mon 23 Nov 09
The irate commuter, says...
9:10am Mon 23 Nov 09
Put the bl**dy bollards out after rushhour...and if it's too dangerous for the poor workmen ( LOL) then get the Police to help out...Surely that makes more sense than Bournemouth coming to a complete stansdtill, thousands of lost hours at work, co2 being pumped into the atmosphere from stationary cars.
These works are a complete joke...I don't like Jermey Clarkson, but well done for showing up what a complete incompotent bunch are working on this project .
ben111, Ringwood says...
9:12am Mon 23 Nov 09
ben111, Ringwood says...
9:16am Mon 23 Nov 09
Mediclogan5, Bournemouth says...
9:21am Mon 23 Nov 09
PHew, Bournemouth says...
9:25am Mon 23 Nov 09
Square Old Codger, Bournemouth says...
9:32am Mon 23 Nov 09
In Absentia, Bournemouth says...
9:59am Mon 23 Nov 09
EGHH, says...
10:03am Mon 23 Nov 09
alumchineboy2, alumchine says...
10:04am Mon 23 Nov 09
sandworms ? people cant get to work because of the sandworms rights ? great.
grimreaper, Ensbury Park says...
10:05am Mon 23 Nov 09
What a brilliant idea !!
Now nothing can get out of Bournemouth and CO2 emissions and global warming dont matter anymore ?
Has anyone in the County Council got half a brain ??
NewForestRed, Bournemouth says...
10:09am Mon 23 Nov 09
PHew wrote:Probably about as many who have been suffering delays coming into the towns due to the southbound side closure last week, of which I was just one. Simple solution, get out of bed earlier. Inconvenient, yes, but it does work.
8.26am - just had call from my lift...he has been stuck by the fitness first stadium trying to come to the cooper dean roundabout, for over 10 minutes. Everything is at a standstill, stretching back (how far?) BECAUSE of the north bound closure on the A338. How many people are going to be late for school/work etc and arrive anxious and stressed? Not good :-(
ben111, Ringwood says...
10:13am Mon 23 Nov 09
NewForestRed wrote:Really do you thinl so ,,,, So leaving Bournemouth at 7.40 in morning and it still took an hour and 20 to get to ringwood
PHew wrote: 8.26am - just had call from my lift...he has been stuck by the fitness first stadium trying to come to the cooper dean roundabout, for over 10 minutes. Everything is at a standstill, stretching back (how far?) BECAUSE of the north bound closure on the A338. How many people are going to be late for school/work etc and arrive anxious and stressed? Not good :-(Probably about as many who have been suffering delays coming into the towns due to the southbound side closure last week, of which I was just one. Simple solution, get out of bed earlier. Inconvenient, yes, but it does work.
mikey2gorgeous, Moordown says...
10:14am Mon 23 Nov 09
I'm going to have a stab in the dark here - do you drive alone? Most of the traffic on the 338 in rush hour is single drivers. Have you heard of car-sharing? Buses? Coaches?
The simple fact is that our traffic infrastructure is so overloaded that there is no room for essential maintenance. Never mind the worms, this would be complained about however long it took. By those responsible for the congestion.
I'm not a tree-hugging anti-car type. I drive too. All I'm saying is don't blame the people trying to fix the roads for the congestion YOU are not prepared to do anything about.
grimreaper, Ensbury Park says...
10:23am Mon 23 Nov 09
Do it at night 1 mile at a time !!
mikey2gorgeous, Moordown says...
10:23am Mon 23 Nov 09
What a crass & insensitive statement. No-one who puts their life on the line to serve us deserves to be talked about like that. Got any funny jokes about our lads in Afghanistan?
Goffee, Bournemouth says...
10:33am Mon 23 Nov 09
charley farley west parley, bournemouth says...
10:34am Mon 23 Nov 09
I still have a car but i rely on it less these days but that is by design. What with speed cameras, drivers becoming more and more inconsiderate, traffic lights stopping me every 10 yards, 20 mph zones definitely on their way for all residential streets and just the expense of running a car, what's to like ? I'm better off out of it all.
And the up side is i can laugh my head off reading all the comments on this site everytime a workman so much as gets a shovel out within site of a motorist. HA HA HA HA HA HA
In Absentia, Bournemouth says...
10:37am Mon 23 Nov 09
However, if the lane was narrowed at the relevant work points, how many drivers would courteously follow an instruction to filter in turn? Less than 50% I would guess, particularly during rush hour.
The irate commuter, says...
10:38am Mon 23 Nov 09
Comparing putting bollards out after 9am to facing the Taliban ...LOL you plum !!
How many times has this road had work done it out of rush hour ?? I have used this roads for years & can comfirm that on many occassions workmen have put bollards out after the rush hour to allieve the tailbacks....so why this time is it too dangerous ? to lazy to bring them in every night & put them back out in the morning more like !!!
NewForestRed, Bournemouth says...
10:50am Mon 23 Nov 09
ben111 wrote:Yes, I do think so, and it definitely worked for me last week coming into Bournemouth. The real surge in traffic volume comes between 7.30 and 8 am, so if you adjust your start time by about 20 minutes, it will make a massive difference to your journey time. Unless, of course, everyone else does the same! You do have my sympathy, by the way.
NewForestRed wrote:Really do you thinl so ,,,, So leaving Bournemouth at 7.40 in morning and it still took an hour and 20 to get to ringwoodPHew wrote: 8.26am - just had call from my lift...he has been stuck by the fitness first stadium trying to come to the cooper dean roundabout, for over 10 minutes. Everything is at a standstill, stretching back (how far?) BECAUSE of the north bound closure on the A338. How many people are going to be late for school/work etc and arrive anxious and stressed? Not good :-(Probably about as many who have been suffering delays coming into the towns due to the southbound side closure last week, of which I was just one. Simple solution, get out of bed earlier. Inconvenient, yes, but it does work.
When I was heading south last week, it was clear to see the root cause of the problem was due to the "late lane changers", cutting in to the open lane at the last possible moment, causing extra concertina effect in the inside lane. I'm sure that bringing the speed limit down to 30 or 40mph from Ashley Heath would help the traffic flow smoothly. It's not so easy to see anything that would help with the northbound situation though. Once the Cooper Dean grinds to a halt, as it does, then everyone's in trouble, whether or not they want to use the A338.
mikey2gorgeous, Moordown says...
10:50am Mon 23 Nov 09
What an insightful & constructive input to this discussion.
a.g.o.g., bournemouth says...
10:52am Mon 23 Nov 09
ben111, Ringwood says...
10:56am Mon 23 Nov 09
mikey2gorgeous wrote:WOW im glad you seem to know such much about me !!! i will come to you in the future for advice !!
@ben111 - you own a business, a house and a car which you use to commute 30 odd miles a day & claim you have no choices? I'm sure that suits your moaning to say that but i doubt you're that hamstrung! Perhaps the recession isn't helping but you would have had the same choices before that. I'm going to have a stab in the dark here - do you drive alone? Most of the traffic on the 338 in rush hour is single drivers. Have you heard of car-sharing? Buses? Coaches? The simple fact is that our traffic infrastructure is so overloaded that there is no room for essential maintenance. Never mind the worms, this would be complained about however long it took. By those responsible for the congestion. I'm not a tree-hugging anti-car type. I drive too. All I'm saying is don't blame the people trying to fix the roads for the congestion YOU are not prepared to do anything about.
mikey2gorgeous, Moordown says...
10:57am Mon 23 Nov 09
When looked at in purely traffic management terms, the later the traffic merges the better. This is because more of the 2-lane section is fully utilised which can reduce the tailback slightly. This has less effect at the end of the 338 than in town where the tailback can affect previous junctions but the principle still holds.
You may merge early, that's your choice. But that doesn't preclude others from merging later. It feels like they are 'pushing in' but they are just merging at a later point.
An easy issue - you might think - but it tends to divide people into 2 camps.
It'd be interesting to hear what anyone else has to say on this. Has anyone else dared to late merge on the short 2-lane section coming out of the west side of castlepoint?
The irate commuter, says...
11:11am Mon 23 Nov 09
mikey2gorgeous wrote:Mikey, you are making yourself look rather silly.
Oh so you've gone from laughing at road workers being in danger of losing their lives to calling them lazy. What an insightful & constructive input to this discussion.
Of course my comments are insightful & constructive ..... YOU PUT THE BOLLARDS OUT AFTER 9AM - BRING THEM IN BEFORE 5PM & HEY-PRESTO NO CONGESTION !
No gridlock in Bournemouth
No lost man hours
Less polution
You must be very gullible if you believe that this is NOT being done purely for the workers safety....therefore my constructive remarks that the workers are lazy is extremely apt.
terry1965, bournemouth says...
11:12am Mon 23 Nov 09
ben111 wrote:I spotted that glaring error too! Perhaps the Echo should employ people who are literate?! You pay peanuts......
ROAD CHEFS : Mines a bacon an egg sandwich please
NewForestRed, Bournemouth says...
11:19am Mon 23 Nov 09
mikey2gorgeous wrote:Perhaps both reducing the speed limit and prohibiting ANY overtaking in the approach area to the cones would smooth the flow of traffic. Each driver could then easily identify the place they will take in a single lane of traffic, drivers in the inside lane know which vehicle they have to let in to their space.
@NewForestRed - you bring up a very interesting issue about the late merging. When looked at in purely traffic management terms, the later the traffic merges the better. This is because more of the 2-lane section is fully utilised which can reduce the tailback slightly. This has less effect at the end of the 338 than in town where the tailback can affect previous junctions but the principle still holds. You may merge early, that's your choice. But that doesn't preclude others from merging later. It feels like they are 'pushing in' but they are just merging at a later point. An easy issue - you might think - but it tends to divide people into 2 camps. It'd be interesting to hear what anyone else has to say on this. Has anyone else dared to late merge on the short 2-lane section coming out of the west side of castlepoint?
grumps999, Kinson says...
11:22am Mon 23 Nov 09
EGHH wrote:I totally agree Dorset needs to come out of its Jurassic times and get motorway!!!! by the way EGHH you connected with the airport?
Well said Jezza. Static traffic = pollution. Will these bloody tree huggers and worm lovers get it through their thick heads that they are the ones causing the problems. Businesses will suffer because of these so called road works (they aren't, as there is no work being carried out on the actual road). Dorset needs a motorway to by-pass all the major towns and villages.
ekimnoslen, says...
11:24am Mon 23 Nov 09
Tough! Stop complaining and live with it!
By the way does anyone actually care what "motormouth" Clarkson has to say?
mikey2gorgeous, Moordown says...
11:31am Mon 23 Nov 09
Or that your suggestion will cure all the ills that this works brings? You must tell the works managers right away! What fools they are.
.
.
And you call me gullible?
PHew, Bournemouth says...
11:43am Mon 23 Nov 09
NewForestRed wrote:As I have said at other times on here, I HAVE adjusted my journey times....as any sensible person would....and have ended up far too early or just as late...and it doesnt seem to depend on weather etc so this is not really a viable thing to do - especially when you add in the lost time with family in the mornings and evenings.
ben111 wrote:Yes, I do think so, and it definitely worked for me last week coming into Bournemouth. The real surge in traffic volume comes between 7.30 and 8 am, so if you adjust your start time by about 20 minutes, it will make a massive difference to your journey time. Unless, of course, everyone else does the same! You do have my sympathy, by the way.
NewForestRed wrote:Really do you thinl so ,,,, So leaving Bournemouth at 7.40 in morning and it still took an hour and 20 to get to ringwoodPHew wrote: 8.26am - just had call from my lift...he has been stuck by the fitness first stadium trying to come to the cooper dean roundabout, for over 10 minutes. Everything is at a standstill, stretching back (how far?) BECAUSE of the north bound closure on the A338. How many people are going to be late for school/work etc and arrive anxious and stressed? Not good :-(Probably about as many who have been suffering delays coming into the towns due to the southbound side closure last week, of which I was just one. Simple solution, get out of bed earlier. Inconvenient, yes, but it does work.
When I was heading south last week, it was clear to see the root cause of the problem was due to the "late lane changers", cutting in to the open lane at the last possible moment, causing extra concertina effect in the inside lane. I'm sure that bringing the speed limit down to 30 or 40mph from Ashley Heath would help the traffic flow smoothly. It's not so easy to see anything that would help with the northbound situation though. Once the Cooper Dean grinds to a halt, as it does, then everyone's in trouble, whether or not they want to use the A338.
By the way..my lift got to me 35 minutes late and we turned back twice trying to approach cooper dean roundabout...Came home and waited til 9.40...got to school 10 mins later...
dissc, Ferndown says...
11:44am Mon 23 Nov 09
There is no strategic planning as far as I can see. They do not seem to worry about the consequences of arbitrary decisions. The placement of new housing seems to be allowed in places where the road infrastructure can not cope. They also do not seem to behave in a proactive manner. They fix roads after they have reached a very bad state of dilapidation. Why don't they work on the roads at night and clear away the cones, which often section off parts of the road where nothing is happening, so we can use them during the day!!!
The only word I can think of for all the councils in Dorset is MORONS!
Tripod, Poole says...
11:45am Mon 23 Nov 09
TinyLegacy, Bournemouth says...
11:46am Mon 23 Nov 09
Ooo maybe they're giving it 3 lanes each way? That'll do nicely. I likes tarmac I do.
mikey2gorgeous, Moordown says...
11:48am Mon 23 Nov 09
If someone in either lane is indicating to change lane - that precludes passing them. You must NOT overtake a moving vehicle that's indicating (on the side you're overtaking).
The issue (and it's the only one that seems to get everybody on the same 'side' - @irate: back me up here!!) is lack of enforcement of driving offences. If people were stopped and ticketed more for these the standard of driving would rise and we could then rely on people merging properly.
In the meantime - DARE TO LATE MERGE! The more people do the better for all of us.
MoordownMarc, Bournemouth says...
12:10pm Mon 23 Nov 09
I guess the real fun begins early next year when the A338 will be completely closed for reconstruction work!
NewForestRed, Bournemouth says...
12:17pm Mon 23 Nov 09
mikey2gorgeous wrote:I cannot agree with your opinion that late merging helps. Surely, changing lane closer to the restricted area only serves to further congest the bottleneck. I don't see why my suggestion over-complicates the issue. You are travelling towards some roadworks, on a dual carriageway, with a national speed limit. At a point far enough before the start of the work area, the speed limit is reduced, and no more overtaking is permitted. That's not to say you can't still use the outside lane, but you would already know which car you must pull in behind at some point before your lane ends. I'm sure this would help keep the traffic flowing more smoothly.
@NewForestRed - I think that overcomplicates things. If someone in either lane is indicating to change lane - that precludes passing them. You must NOT overtake a moving vehicle that's indicating (on the side you're overtaking). The issue (and it's the only one that seems to get everybody on the same 'side' - @irate: back me up here!!) is lack of enforcement of driving offences. If people were stopped and ticketed more for these the standard of driving would rise and we could then rely on people merging properly. In the meantime - DARE TO LATE MERGE! The more people do the better for all of us.
The irate commuter, says...
12:17pm Mon 23 Nov 09
mikey2gorgeous wrote:So you honestly believe that bollards can not be placed after 9am just for the few yards that are being worked on ????
SO you're saying that these roads are being hamstrung because the workers can't be bothered to do this? Or that your suggestion will cure all the ills that this works brings? You must tell the works managers right away! What fools they are. . . And you call me gullible?
You honestly believe that the workers are in that much danger of putting them out despite other road workers doing this for years? ( & yet if it's that dangerous , why is there no speed limit thru the cones ?????)
You honestly believe that bringing Bmth to a complete standstill is worth it because of the workers (or project managers) laziness ?
i am not saying that this will cure everything but at least the VAST majority will be less effected.
[Chris], WWW says...
12:23pm Mon 23 Nov 09
.
Instead of calling each other names, or retalatory comments because someone has said something about you, get a life, get up earlier. Regardless of what you might say, it does work. It did for me, and now I am back home, ready for the next trip.
Richard45, Poole says...
12:33pm Mon 23 Nov 09
The irate commuter, says...
12:52pm Mon 23 Nov 09
Richard45 wrote:probably all dead due to the extra carbon monoxcide being pumped into the atmos from al the stationary cars.
It would be good to understand how many specimens have been "rescued" during this process. It might make the inconvenience a little more tolerable to hear that 1,000's of these endangered species have been saved
djd, bournemouth says...
12:53pm Mon 23 Nov 09
Dare you have the audacity to enter their piece of road and they will no doubt let you know of their displeasure.
Many of them have never driven anywhere in the U.K. and really have no road sense or thought for any other road users.
Maggie69, bournemouth says...
12:59pm Mon 23 Nov 09
wrote:Good to hear a voice of reason among all the ranting
The biggest worm in this story is Jeremy Clarkson, Mr. Mouth himself. He obviously has not got a clue sat behind his desk at the Sun. The true reasons have been explained, but like the notifications of this programme, and now the subsequent change from Southbound to Northbound which has been promulgated in good time, no one takes notice. Probably the same drivers who drove through the closure signs at Westbourne, and the same drivers who drive through Kings Park. . Instead of calling each other names, or retalatory comments because someone has said something about you, get a life, get up earlier. Regardless of what you might say, it does work. It did for me, and now I am back home, ready for the next trip.
java, bournemouth says...
1:04pm Mon 23 Nov 09
For motorsits that like to sit in queues and complain afterwards, they COULD divert to another route other that Ferndown, it is not impossible looking at the maps. Ohh, we cannot do that anymore, we must obey sat-navs !
StewieJT, London says...
1:34pm Mon 23 Nov 09
NewForestRed, Bournemouth says...
1:39pm Mon 23 Nov 09
java wrote:Good suggestion regarding night-work.
look chaps, follow the direction that was taken on the A34 just recently. A similar stretch of raod was resurfaced without one single queue, even in rush hour, the reason being all the work was carried out at night, with traffic being diverted to the opposite lanes. For motorsits that like to sit in queues and complain afterwards, they COULD divert to another route other that Ferndown, it is not impossible looking at the maps. Ohh, we cannot do that anymore, we must obey sat-navs !
Stupid suggestion about "other routes".
Expecting any of the alternative routes to be able to cope with even a 10% increase in traffic diverting off the Spur Road is pure folly. Try it one morning! Make sure you have a full tank, and a good excuse when you arrive mid-morning.
NewForestRed, Bournemouth says...
1:49pm Mon 23 Nov 09
StewieJT wrote:If you're not local, why do you talk about things you know nothing about? Do you imagine no-one else is already using these inadequate alternatives?
If you're local, why don't you know the local roads? Take a different route, such as through Matchams (turn left on the A31 after the A338 turning) or through Ferndown up to Bear Cross (follow the signs!). Stop complaining about road works, they are only doing their job, they are not deliberately trying to annoy you!
wilkiemini, poole says...
1:50pm Mon 23 Nov 09
poole_god, says...
1:59pm Mon 23 Nov 09
This encouraged drivers to leave the A338 to find alternative routes and blocked even more junctions.
Why oh why did they start at this section of the eastbound carrigeway, regardless of if you care about people who had to queue or those that should have got up earlier it was a stupid choice of starting point. As these works will go on until Feb it could have left until later when traffic is less heavy.
Also I agree with some of the posters above , USE BOTH LANES AND MERGE IN TURN
TFan, Beaconsfield says...
2:19pm Mon 23 Nov 09
Unlike some I've no particular gripe about the work needing to be done but I fail to see why, when working on 300-400 yard stretches at a time, it is necessary to cone off over 2 miles of road? They put the cones out at night so surely it is perfectly safe to move them at night as required.
The so called "project manager" from Dorset County Council was on Radio Solent this morning and didn't even appear to know how long a stretch of road had been coned off. If he can't even answer such a basic question he's not manging the project very well.
dribble, Boscombe says...
3:04pm Mon 23 Nov 09
.
I was half an hour late for work this morning because the bus that eventually turned up had been severely held up by all the cars on Castle Lane.
.
As others have said, this sort of work (and I agree it needs to be done to help the endangered species) needs to be done out of rush hour.
.
And yes, I am a car driver too - I just chose to catch the bus into town because it's cheaper than using the car parks.
The irate commuter, says...
3:50pm Mon 23 Nov 09
Risk the A338 ?
Go thru Christchurch
Go thru Ferndown
Go via Sopley
Any way I think my dinner will be in the dog when i get home.
ben111, Ringwood says...
3:53pm Mon 23 Nov 09
John T, Poole says...
3:56pm Mon 23 Nov 09
ben111 wrote:You will have to divert to Roads South for that... we only do erring at the Ehco!
ROAD CHEFS : Mines a bacon an egg sandwich please
Jeremy Klaxon, Kinson says...
4:09pm Mon 23 Nov 09
At busy periods, vehicles in the outside lane must be made to slow and merge well before the lanes narrow from two to one, otherwise excessive delays are caused, particularly to those in the inside lane further back.
poole_god, says...
4:31pm Mon 23 Nov 09
Or do you think some nails in the raod 800 metres before the merge is a better idea??
poole_god, says...
4:33pm Mon 23 Nov 09
StewieJT, London says...
5:10pm Mon 23 Nov 09
NewForestRed wrote:Er, how do you think I know the alternative routes? Some people do move away from their home towns you know! It seems from the comments above that no-one is using alternative routes. They are all complaining about being stuck on traffic on the A338. The other routes may be longer, but at at least you will be moving. Use a map!
StewieJT wrote:If you're not local, why do you talk about things you know nothing about? Do you imagine no-one else is already using these inadequate alternatives?
If you're local, why don't you know the local roads? Take a different route, such as through Matchams (turn left on the A31 after the A338 turning) or through Ferndown up to Bear Cross (follow the signs!). Stop complaining about road works, they are only doing their job, they are not deliberately trying to annoy you!
MandinVerwood, Verwood says...
5:13pm Mon 23 Nov 09
Jeremy Klaxon wrote:Actually when they had the road closures they started at 10pm and were lifted at 6am. They only had the section of the road they were working on closed at one particualr time. And yes they had SPEC's camera's but were well signed. That was very good roadwork's which had some disruption, but minimal.
Java, you are wrong, like so many on here. The A34 work had diversions from Tot Hill through Newbury at night when I was travelling north bound. Also a dangerous and confusing series of sometimes off, sometimes on, speed cameras during the days I went through. Unfortunately, the truth is never allowed to get in the way of a point being made. However the work did not cause traffic jams at any of the times I drove through, that much is true.
At busy periods, vehicles in the outside lane must be made to slow and merge well before the lanes narrow from two to one, otherwise excessive delays are caused, particularly to those in the inside lane further back.
To be honest - they guys in charge of this aren't really accountable to anyone as the A338 is not a major highway like the A34 in the eyes of the highway agency and so we have to put up with this sloppy management.
Also whoever siggested Matchams lane above really does not know the road layout. If coming from the north then it is difficult to turn right on at the end of the lane during rush hour, and put more cars down it will make the situation worse. If you come down through Ferndown as suggested, you get caught up in the parley crossroads which can not handle the extra number of cars through it during peek periods, and then some bright spark starts allowing other roadwroks in the area too to make it just a bit worse.
As for Bear Cross, Well again the roundabouts there are the bottlenecks and again could not handle the traffic.
Basically the area exceed it's road capacity some time ago and we are paying the price for it now. If we were to have a disataster like has happened in other parts of the country and say the bridge over the river at hurn was taken out of action then the town would be as good as cut off for a lot of people.
Actually I would love to see the town hall's DR plan for that situation (if there is one - I expect it would be for them to run away!)
[Chris], WWW says...
5:18pm Mon 23 Nov 09
.
The cones are set out as such to stop you irate drivers from crashing into the workers, the machinery, and equipment. They are also there to help in filtering the traffic long before the work area into a single line of orderly drivers and traffic movement. The problems are caused when everyone tries to race to the filter, and then has to slow so that other traffic can filter in.
.
If this is now, next year is going to be great.
.
I decided to drive out to Christchurch Byepass, cut across through Burley and the Forest and drop back into Ringwood that way. A little longer, but that was because I was governed by the Forest speed limits, but the route was scenic and no irate drivers.
.
Happy Driving Folks
PHew, Bournemouth says...
5:30pm Mon 23 Nov 09
StewieJT wrote:And being away means you have no idea what is going on here at the moment, here and now during these particular 'works'.....the alternative routes are a dire option as has been pointed out numerously.....leavi
NewForestRed wrote:Er, how do you think I know the alternative routes? Some people do move away from their home towns you know! It seems from the comments above that no-one is using alternative routes. They are all complaining about being stuck on traffic on the A338. The other routes may be longer, but at at least you will be moving. Use a map!
StewieJT wrote:If you're not local, why do you talk about things you know nothing about? Do you imagine no-one else is already using these inadequate alternatives?
If you're local, why don't you know the local roads? Take a different route, such as through Matchams (turn left on the A31 after the A338 turning) or through Ferndown up to Bear Cross (follow the signs!). Stop complaining about road works, they are only doing their job, they are not deliberately trying to annoy you!
ng early isnt a viable option as has been discussed....merging properly would be a great help but too many cars in one area is going to have a knock on effect, as has been seen today in the surrounding area, nowhere near the A338. I dont believe that the amount or quality of planning has been good enough and consequences thought through. I am interested to see if i cant get children to school on time for the rest of the year, what the council wil do about that??? Could be interesting!!!!
fedupwithjobsworths, Moordown says...
5:32pm Mon 23 Nov 09
UndeadMessiah, says...
5:33pm Mon 23 Nov 09
pd7, Dorset says...
5:47pm Mon 23 Nov 09
Why do all motorist think they have a right to own all the road ?
I live in Dorset and I dont have a clue where the A338 is !
But on the other hand I never go to Bmouth .
But from what I am reading the works will pay for itsself with the inceased revenue from fuel that is being wasted while stuck in traffic .
So you could say it is planned this way
BackOfTheNet, Boscombe says...
5:50pm Mon 23 Nov 09
Even the popular "keep laying more tarmac" approach will eventually fail because they'll be nothing left in between to put roads on!
Sadly, until people can re-learn the ability to live without a car (or car-share, which strangely most won't even consider) then traffic problems will keep getting worse. This, in turn, means roads deteriorating quicker so more roadworks, etc.
Do any of the irate motorists have a long tem solution, other than just blame the councils? It really is in your own interests to find one.
a.g.o.g., bournemouth says...
6:07pm Mon 23 Nov 09
The irate commuter, says...
6:07pm Mon 23 Nov 09
& THERE IS THE CRUX OF THE MATTER - AT RUSH HOUR THERE AREN'T ANY WORKERS, MACHINERY & EQUIPEMENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALL B*GGERED OFF HOME BEFORE THE RUSH HOUR STARTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PUT THE BOLLARDS OUT AFTER 9AM & BRING THEM IN BEFORE 5PM !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Security word help-full ...a bit like your post Chris
PHew, Bournemouth says...
6:13pm Mon 23 Nov 09
wrote:Wish i had the money you obviously have for petrol to go 'the long way' :-) At least I can switch off in a traffic jam :-) (code word test town...and arent they just!!!)
You have moaned, you have dripped, an still nothing has been, or will be done in respect of what you want. If you had any idea as to what planning goes into this, timings, etc, you may have a little more understanding. Some big wig TV presenter (or so he thinks) opens his gob, and of we go again. And still nothing gets done.
.
The cones are set out as such to stop you irate drivers from crashing into the workers, the machinery, and equipment. They are also there to help in filtering the traffic long before the work area into a single line of orderly drivers and traffic movement. The problems are caused when everyone tries to race to the filter, and then has to slow so that other traffic can filter in.
.
If this is now, next year is going to be great.
.
I decided to drive out to Christchurch Byepass, cut across through Burley and the Forest and drop back into Ringwood that way. A little longer, but that was because I was governed by the Forest speed limits, but the route was scenic and no irate drivers.
.
Happy Driving Folks
Pineview, Poole says...
6:17pm Mon 23 Nov 09
Look at some of the other communities around the UK,much smaller but served and linked by motorways into the national network.
Just think if anything were to happen ,such as a flood damaging the bridge over the Stour at Blackwater junc.the whole area would come to a complete standstill.
The road network around here is a disgrace and all because of the nimbyism of the the 70's and early 80's.
We are one of the most prosperous area's of the country and have for decades paid huge sums of money into the exchequer but because none of our parliamentary seats have been marginal (until recently).We have had no bargaining power to the different parties in power.
We should have a dual carriageway, at least, by- passing us to the north (A31) and some northern inner by-pass ,past the airport and linking up to Fleetsbridge.The aleviate some of the stress on the A338,which is only going to get worse.
peterdw777, says...
6:55pm Mon 23 Nov 09
I expect David Diaz is too thick to think of that! Duh!
Helper and Seeker, Bournemouth says...
6:55pm Mon 23 Nov 09
Abroad they do all road works at night.
Why can't we do the same?
Jeremy Klaxon, Kinson says...
7:00pm Mon 23 Nov 09
Meanwhile, unless the number of vehicles using these routes is drastically reduced, we will see increasing episodes of hold ups caused by congestion, accidents and maintenance work.
All these problems are common in heavily populated areas all over the world. Welcome to the age of the motor car.
T.BH1, Bournemouth says...
7:33pm Mon 23 Nov 09
poole_god, says...
8:04pm Mon 23 Nov 09
Feel free to avoid it though, more room for me.
I use this route in the summer on a sunday afternoon when traffic backs up at ashley heath, easy peasy
ferret38, bournemouth says...
9:11pm Mon 23 Nov 09
Rich_Enduro, bournemouth says...
9:37pm Mon 23 Nov 09
wayneofafcb wrote:good point about the bus lane. i was disgusted when i saw the camera catching cars using this route. here we have an option to alleviate the problems caused by the road works on Ashley rd but what happens instead? they fine motorists for trying to get to boscombe. i hope this money is being handed to the businesses loosing money over lost trade?
Well done Jezza. This needed some national publicity. Let's hope he finds out about the Kings Park money making machine, or bus lane as it's known.
anyway, the worm issue. i understand they are protected, but what would happen if some were killed during the road works? will tourists stop visiting the area? will there be an environmental disaster due to an imbalance of creatures? i don't think so!!
[Chris], WWW says...
11:56pm Mon 23 Nov 09
.
These same people are more than happy to insist on others doing something about it, so that they can travel around freely, but on the other hand refuse to make that journey a little earlier.
.
As someone pointed out, who does not know me at all, says I have more money to buy petrol. Not at all, I average the same income as most, I drive a diesel vehicle, but unlike most, I am happy to drive the roads as they are, or take that detour that has been offered to me rather than whimper about something that cannot be changed.
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As I have said before, whether it is this road, or any other road. If it were not maintained, the same people would be griping about that, asking the Council to pay for damage to their cars because of potholes etc etc.
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Get a grip, get a life, get to work when you can. There is nothing that can be done about it.
mikey2gorgeous, Moordown says...
10:10am Tue 24 Nov 09
Gooby, Bournemouh says...
11:22am Tue 24 Nov 09
But that is OK because Diaz is going to talk about it.
I am sure the now hibernating slow worms are fine.
rumplestiltskin, christchurch says...
6:20pm Tue 24 Nov 09
my sympathy's lye with locals and shoppers
Taffytim, Bournemouth says...
6:20pm Tue 24 Nov 09
I have driven up and down this stretch of road many a time and have not never seen them! I therefore disbelieve they exist.
Surely if we can get a petition on the go denying their existence then we can stop these silly works??
M0Z, Bournemouth says...
7:21pm Tue 24 Nov 09
I realise that if the tarmac is being torn up the lanes would need to be closed round the clock – but that’s not the case here. In the past I’ve also seen lane closures during the rush hour while grass cutting is taking place. Madness.
The council needs to realise that the A338 is the single most important transport link for economically active taxpayers in East Dorset, and that the only alternative routes become useless whenever the A338 is not fully open. The whole Bournemouth & Christchurch economy is effectively cut off without a functioning A338, with massive impact to businesses in those areas, and to the residents of those areas who work elsewhere.
I co-own a local business that employs 20+ staff, and personally live south of the railway track – so I’m also crippled by diverted traffic from the closure of the main bridge at Boscombe. It’s a complete nightmare.
Clarkson blows a gasket over Spur Road as shift in works causes chaos
Traffic delays on the Wessex Way between Cooper Dean and St Pauls roundabouts.
Traffic delays on the Wessex Way between Cooper Dean and St Pauls roundabouts.
Traffic delays on the Wessex Way between Cooper Dean and St Pauls roundabouts.
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wayneofafcb, poole says...
8:09am Mon 23 Nov 09