Safety move on A41

Dec 23 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

SAFETY measures have been introduced on a permanent basis to deal with a problem junction where people have been losing their lives for 30 years.

The partial closure of the gap in the central reservation at the junction of the A41 with Rake Lane and Station Road in Backford was agreed as a trial measure in October last year.

In a three year period from March 2004, road safety engineers said there were 13 recorded personal injury collisions of which 12 involved vehicles crossing or attempting to cross the gap in the central reservation.

The A41 road at the junction then had a 70mph limit.

Objectors said they would be inconvenienced and would have to use an alternative route.

Most people believed the speed limit should be reduced to 40mph or 50mph.

Area highways manager Colin Stredder recommended a partial closure of the gap due to the number and severity of the collisions at the junction and support for a 50mph speed limit.

The introduction of a 50mph speed limit at the end of June has seen a “significant reduction” in the speed of traffic on the A41.

City and county councillors agreed on a 10-4 vote that the partial closure of the gap should be made permanent after County Cllr Stephen Mosley (Con, Overleigh) pointed out that most accidents happen in the winter.