Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
7 January 2011
23:5288110#1
I recieved today a document from KCC to remove hundreds of pedestrian barriers in the centre of Dover! They talk about Streetscene,but we all know it is about cost!
These barriers protect pedestrians and dangerous points and direct people to safer crossing points,and they also stop cars parking on junctions.
To remove these barriers and hundreds are going to be removed will cost thousands of £'s.The reason to remove them has nothing to do with streetscene,it is about cost of repairing them when they are rusty or damaged,the reason most are damaged is because they are doing and protecting pedestrians when cars hit them.
Once again the Tory run KCC cost cutting! How much is a life worth? This will lead to dozens of accidents involving people v cars and lead to lots of injuries and maybe deaths,we have seen many incidents in the last few weeks.I ask again how much cost cutting is it ok to get away with for each life.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
8 January 2011
02:2888115#2
John - any particular potential blackspots that we should be aware of?
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
8 January 2011
07:3588117#3
ross,in my mind most of dover,you name the place and thats it.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
8 January 2011
08:4988126#4
They have tried this in Ashford and as far as I am aware, there's been no accidents.
I wouldn't expect you to agree with anything the Conservative-run KCC do John, so your comment/argument is not a surprise.
Roger
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
8 January 2011
08:5388127#5
I am quite happy about this.
Other countries are not so obsessed with wrapping people up in cotton woool as we are.
People must learn to take responsibility for themselves and others.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
8 January 2011
09:0288129#6
I have to agree there is too much street furniture and it can be a nightmare for us pedestrians. when I was a child I only had street lamps to avoid but still managed to walk into one.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
8 January 2011
10:3288135#7
Streeet furniture comes in handy at times...only recently I saw on TV and I dont know if any of you saw it... A guy after robbing a store with a fellow robber runs out of the store at full speed with his mate. His mate carries on but this guy looks backwards to see if he is being chased while running fast...only to rush headlong into a street sign. He flattened himself and fell to the ground almost knocked out.
His injury was quite bad so he went to the nearest hospital, where the police conveniently picked him up...oh mercy me !
But with regard the serious aspect, barriers and so forth are very essential as far as kids are concerned and actually cut accidents and therefore cut overall costs in health service, ambulance time etc. However as we know the KCC have been clobbered by government cuts...so probably not their direct fault.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
8 January 2011
10:5488139#8
Actually PaulB it is far better to teach your kids proper road safety than to rely on barriers.
I remember when one of my sons, as a toddler, went to dash out onto a busy road, I grabbed him just in time and gave him a good whack right there, he never did it again. Its not barriers that saved him but being alert and teaching him a lesson.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
8 January 2011
11:0688141#9
This is a human response not at political response
The reason these barriers were erected were for pedestrian safety. Has the reason for that decision been removed, i.e. Car, Bus's, Lorries. NO
Roger.
Just because there has been no accident yet and i am pleased there hasn't, sadly it does not mean there won't be one.
BarryW.
I am not surprised with your comment, protecting a mother and her children from, possibly, being run over, is not wrapping someone up in cotton wool it's called caring about other fellow human's.
Jan.
Street furniture that is in place for safety reasons should not be removed, I am sure the number of vehicles has greatly increased since your early years.
Political response, it does show who cares about others and who does not.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
8 January 2011
11:1188142#10
my immediate response was concern for young children.
i see many parents busy texting or chatting on their mobile phone whilst in charge of toddlers.
far too easy for one to run in front of a vehicle, only takes a few seconds.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
8 January 2011
11:1188143#11
The Ashford 'Shared Space' had proved me wrong as so far no incidents...but that may be cos people are so confused where they should be driving that it slows them down !!
Been nice knowing you :)
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
8 January 2011
11:2088146#12
I agree Gary, this is not about a philosophical approach to road safety or even aesthetics, this is just about cost. Justifying the removal of these barriers through anything other than economics is pointless.
Although these barriers stop children running into the road (choice) they do not protect you from the actions of others (no choice). You can teach a child road safety but you can't teach them how to stop a motorist who has lost control running them over.
If you really want to extend this idea that the individual takes full responsibility and no intervention (physical or morally) should take place. Then we would need the barriers or drink driving tests as everyone would take responsibility for their own actions. Of course this is nonsense as the responsible actions of an individual may not always have positive repercussions on others. Self regulation is an oxymoron.
Guest 658- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 660
8 January 2011
11:3488147#13
Removing the barriers is tantamount to corporate manslaughter, whoever thought of this lives in cloud cuckoo land.If you look around many of them are dented and bent every piece of damage was caused by a motor vehicle trying to invade pedestrians space.
beer the food of the gods
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
8 January 2011
11:5588150#14
Thanks for all your replies and I will break down this post into 2 sections to tell you where this is going to happen.
Barry /Roger I expected you to disagree with me,but if KCC was run by the Labour Group and I disagreed with it I would still fight it not lay on my back and have my belly rubbed by them.The first thing I did was to get onto my KCC Cllr who agreed that this is stupid.
610 yes 610 barriers are going and as Gary said these barriers were put there for a reason,public safety and the problem is still there in fact the traffic volume has got worst.
Lets talk about cost,lets just say each barrier would cost £250 to take away and make good,I have on purpose gone for a low estimate because I don't know how much it would cost 610 x £250 = £ 152,500,remember this is a Council who are cutting Social care and everything they can how can they justify this money.
This policy reminds me of the Second World War (not that I was there) quick we need to melt down all the metal we can find! I recently saw a report on how much each accident costs the public purse and the numbers that were being quoted were incredible,but I can promise you this if these barriers are taken away there will be lots more pedestrians being injured.
KCC have also pulled a fast one,we would normally discuss this at Dover Joint Transportation Board,but the consulation period ends on 22 Jan,before we have a meeting! In my next post there will be where they are cutting out the barriers.
Ross on your way to work,Londoon Road.Bridge Street Junction,Biggin street,Ladywell and the roundabout at York Street/Folkestone Road but the major concern is outside Schools especially Primary and in the Town Centre.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
8 January 2011
12:0888151#15
Crabble Hill/Buckland Avenue 65 Barriers.
Buckland Ave/Barton Road 38 Barriers
Barton Road/Frith Road 2 Barriers in the report it says that some will be saved at the end of Barton Road because cars keep crashing into them!
Frith Road/Bridge St 18 Barriers.
Maison Dieu Road/Park Ave 9 Barriers
Maison Dieu Road/Pencester Road 34 Barriers
Maison Dieu Road/Castel st(not my spelling KCC'S) 13Barriers
Castle Street/King St 28 Barriers
Pencester Road/Biggin Street 8 Barriers
High Street/Maison Dieu Place 10 Barriers.
York St central reservation * 112 Barriers.
York Street * 114 Barriers.
York Street/Folkestone Road * 138 Barriers leaving 12
London Road/Bridge st/Tower Hamlets Rd 21 Barrier.
* Rogers ward.
Now as you look down the list you will see lots of places where there have been accidents.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
8 January 2011
12:1888153#16
All very emotive from various people and over the top.
I still say you cannot and should not keep trying to save people from themselves with excessive cotton wool.
To take the logic of some on here we would have barriers all along every road and you would force people to only cross roads via bridges.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
8 January 2011
12:2188157#17
JHG - are you not disproving your claim that this is to save money. You are somewhat confused there and contradictory.
GaryC - I dont go in for false artificial caring as so many do, particulary those (to be political) on the left.
8 January 2011
12:2288158#18
Can I just ask a question? I seriously don't know what that answer is and am not being difficult! If it is going to cost money to remove barriers, why is it being done?
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
8 January 2011
12:2288159#19
Just face booked Charlie MP see if he agrees,if he don't will we have a mass change in heart from Barry/Roger.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
8 January 2011
12:2388160#20
Bern that is one of my points! Total waste of money,and putting the public in danger.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!