A38 Manadon slip is too short for safety
I WISH to highlight to you my concerns around the safety of the slip road at Manadon Roundabout in Plymouth, feeding onto the A38 Eastbound. I would regard it as being too short, given the combined factors of:
Both the slipway feeds into the A38 are very busy, to the point that A38 traffic has to accommodate slip road traffic by moving to the outside lane, and this is not always possible during busy periods.
The traffic along the slipway coming along it in bursts (as determined by the traffic lights on the Manadon roundabout itself)
The limited visibility of traffic moving down the slip road of the A38 and vice versa, due to the concrete retaining wall of the ramp.
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The traffic along the A38 travelling at speed.
I have witnessed many near misses involving other vehicles. The situation is such that many regular users of the A38 passing this junction anticipate problems, and proactively move to the outside lane as they approach it from the West, whenever traffic allows. My observation is therefore shared by many, even if they do not put it in writing.
I am not aware of the accident statistics for this junction, but I believe it has the ingredients for a major incident. I would also imagine that the solution could be reached with some ease, simply by lengthening the slip road, for which the local topography lends space, such that it would require little more than some tarmac and a redrawing of some lines.
DR ASHLEY DINGLE
Plymouth
Comments
by Vinnie_Gar
Sunday, December 16 2012, 4:06PM
“OutsideView
That's a ridiculous comment.
The letter writer was making the point that the layout of the junction makes it dangerous for traffic to join the A38 safely.
Joining safely doesn't just mean giving way to traffic on the main carriageway, joining traffic should be able to accelerate to a reasonable speed and at this junction that is impossible to do safely.”
by OutsideView
Sunday, December 16 2012, 10:58AM
“DR ASHLEY DINGLE said:
"Both the slipway feeds into the A38 are very busy, to the point that A38 traffic has to accommodate slip road traffic by moving to the outside lane, and this is not always possible during busy periods."
Surely it is for the traffic entering onto the A38 that should give way and wait until it is safe to enter the A38 and not for the A38 traffic to move over with possible serious consequences.
At least that is what my copy of the Highway Code says.
All to often cars toodle out onto the A38 and motorways as if it is their right without any consideration for the speed of the traffic on the A38/motorway.”
by Vinnie_Gar
Saturday, December 15 2012, 12:29PM
“Quite right Dr Ash.
I think if it wasn't for locals being wary of this junction the feared major incident would have happened by now.”
by raglanron1
Saturday, December 15 2012, 12:18PM
“Quite the most constructive 'blog' of the week. Well done. Now how do we bring this about?”