IPB

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

33 Pages V   1 2 3 > »   
Reply to this topicStart new topic
> Bollards
Blake
post May 19 2009, 08:47 AM
Post #1


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 507
Joined: 19-May 09
Member No.: 75



Has someone hit the bollards in the town center again?

How many times has it been now. Seems to happen almost twice a month.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
funinuk
post May 19 2009, 10:15 AM
Post #2


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 11
Joined: 19-May 09
Member No.: 76



My window looks directly onto the Bartholomew Street bollards and can see everything going on outside.
Today a woman from out of town hit the bollards, oil is all over the road and her car is damaged, yesterday an elderly woman hit the bollards (and her head against the windowscreen) again, oil all over the road and a very damaged car.
Last week an elderly man and a young man hit the bollards.
I have been here foe just over 3 months and have seen al least 10 people hit these bollards and that is not counting people who actually manage to get over them!
Quite obviously they are not working and are not as 'visable' as people claim. They should be replace with a lift up arm or a camera which records the numberplates and sends out bills to those who drive in the restricted area.
It is so sad to see these people break down and cry when they realise what a silly misjudgement they have made and it's worse when the little green wardens come running almost instantly, ready with their pens and tickets to allocate another blow. Pathetic!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Good Boy Racer
post May 19 2009, 10:36 AM
Post #3


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 235
Joined: 13-May 09
From: Oldbury
Member No.: 22



I noticed last night driving through town... as i do wink.gif that there was some salt around those bollards near Varsity. I see it all the time now. Drivers really need to think!


--------------------
"Quick, Hide something that looks like fun!"
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Guest_Bill1_*
post May 19 2009, 11:10 AM
Post #4





Guests






Funinuk.

You've seen people successfully follow buses or whatever and beat the rising bollards?
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Simon
post May 19 2009, 11:40 AM
Post #5


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 147
Joined: 13-May 09
From: Newbury
Member No.: 18



Bottom line is that if drivers are not paying attention to the signs then they wont be paying attention to the roads. I think hitting the bollards is the expensive wake up call they need, or they could end up hitting something far more valuable.


--------------------
If I ruled the world.......
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Wicca
post May 19 2009, 11:55 AM
Post #6


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 42
Joined: 15-May 09
Member No.: 62



I agree with Simon, there are plenty of signs around stating that there are rising bollards, people just don't pay attention.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
GMR
post May 19 2009, 12:16 PM
Post #7


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 6,085
Joined: 13-May 09
From: Newbury, Berkshire.
Member No.: 33



People complain that the signs are too high. Maybe it is a glasses problem. laugh.gif
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Iommi
post May 19 2009, 03:20 PM
Post #8


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 4,138
Joined: 13-May 09
From: Newbury
Member No.: 20



While the majority of drivers do not hit the bollards, what is clear is that this isn't good publicity for the town. Hardly a welcome from Newbury potential customers would expect. I don't buy the idea either that because someone fails to acknowledge the signage (which is overload in that area), they are very likely to hit a pedestrian.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Simon
post May 19 2009, 03:53 PM
Post #9


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 147
Joined: 13-May 09
From: Newbury
Member No.: 18



Other towns have bollards, and Im sure they have as many problems with people hitting them as we do in Newbury. Its not the bollards or the signage, its the drivers. If you are a visitor to our glorious town, then you should be paying more attention to the roads and signage as you will not know the area.

Im fed up of excuses, and im sorry if anyone on here has hit the bollards, but the message has to be "drive carefully"

I would be devistated if i hit a bollard, but i would only blame myself


--------------------
If I ruled the world.......
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Twenty Something
post May 19 2009, 04:15 PM
Post #10


Newbie
*

Group: Members
Posts: 5
Joined: 13-May 09
Member No.: 24



I agree with the above. It is a case of being careful and driving sensibly, I think people hitting the bollards is more a case of trying to traffic-dodge and thinking 'I'm sure it will be OK just this once' until the inevitable happens.

I am sure even if the signs were lower down, larger etc, people would find another way to protest their innocence!! When I go to other towns/cities I am extra aware of hazards such as bollards.

At the end of the day I would rather have the bollards and have a pedestrianised high street, rather than dodging cars on a shopping trip!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
J C
post May 19 2009, 04:39 PM
Post #11


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 96
Joined: 13-May 09
From: Newbury
Member No.: 30



Manchester for example have installed CCTV and you can see the results on youtube. Pretty much every video shows that the person knows exactly what they are doing and are tailgating a bus or taxi into the restricted area. I have no sympathy towards these people and unfortunately they get what they deserve
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Iommi
post May 19 2009, 05:48 PM
Post #12


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 4,138
Joined: 13-May 09
From: Newbury
Member No.: 20



Of course, in law, it is only the drivers fault. Provided that the road and signage is legal (I have heard allegations that the signage or layout in that area is not 100% proper). What is also fact is this is happening. It is unpleasant and it costs us tax payers (full cost of repair of the bollards is not currently recovered from the driver's insurance).

A part of the problem is poor road infrastructure. Also, the pedestrian area isn't a faithful pedestrian zone, as some vehicles are permitted access. It is therefore ambiguous to have a bollard notice in a place with a speed limit notice.

It is becoming increasingly harder to travel round towns these days due to unusual road designs and an overload of signage. I am familiar with the area and I still have to spend time checking the sings to make sure nothing has changed and I am in the correct lane, etc.

If Newbury had the appropriate road infrastructure, we could have permanent pedestrian areas, but while we have a mixed use environment we will continue to have these regrettable incidents.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
GMR
post May 19 2009, 08:30 PM
Post #13


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 6,085
Joined: 13-May 09
From: Newbury, Berkshire.
Member No.: 33



I was talking to someone in town and they said they might paint them a bright colour..
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
GrumblingAgain
post May 19 2009, 09:23 PM
Post #14


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 151
Joined: 13-May 09
Member No.: 15



Agreeing with Simon and Twenty Something.

I am sure that most of the time it is drivers seeing the traditional MotorCycle jumping the Car sign (No motor vehicles) and thinking to themselves "that doesn't apply to me". I think they treat that sign as a "no entry but if you think you want to go this way feel free it doesn't matter"!

You would have thought that the additional text of "Except buses and taxis" below it would be a clue, but obviously not. If anyone claims that they seriously did not see the "No motor vehicles" sign, then they shouldn't be driving, full stop. Next time it will be them not noticing the "Give Way" at a cross roads, with fatal results.

Sorry, but no sympathy whatsoever, and as others say, if your a stranger in a town, you should be paying EVEN MORE attention to your surroundings.

As for those who know the restriction (and anyone from Newbury & Thatcham and nearby villages would) and choose to "beat the system" and get it wrong - hard luck!


Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Margo
post May 19 2009, 11:56 PM
Post #15


Newbie
*

Group: Members
Posts: 1
Joined: 19-May 09
Member No.: 82



sad.gif
QUOTE (funinuk @ May 19 2009, 11:15 AM) *
I work in the call centre at Sovereign Housing and our office is directly opposite the Bartholomew Street Bollards near the Kennet Centre.
We have a huge floor to ceiling window looking directly onto the bollards and can see everything going on outside.
Today a woman from out of town hit the bollards, oil is all over the road and her car is damaged, yesterday an elderly woman hit the bollards (and her head against the windowscreen) again, oil all over the road and a very damaged car.
Last week an elderly man and a young man hit the bollards.
I have been here foe just over 3 months and have seen al least 10 people hit these bollards and that is not counting people who actually manage to get over them!
Quite obviously they are not working and are not as 'visable' as people claim. They should be replace with a lift up arm or a camera which records the numberplates and sends out bills to those who drive in the restricted area.
It is so sad to see these people break down and cry when they realise what a silly misjudgement they have made and it's worse when the little green wardens come running almost instantly, ready with their pens and tickets to allocate another blow. Pathetic!


That elderly lady yesterday (Monday) I think was me. I hit these bollards while following another vehicle and my car is a write off. If you were the very kind lady from the office who came to help me thank you so much. I did hit my head and I think was very dazed and could not stand for a while, and my arms and chest have huge bruises and so far have whiplash cannot move my right arm above my head. My headache is still quite bad but thankfully I did not harm anybody. Yes I cried when I realised I had gone wrong but I did not see the signs. I am not a careless driver and I was not trying to race or cut corners as other letters on this site seem to indicate. I simply was a visitor and was baffled by where I was since the road usage has changed since \i was there before. I have not ever done anything like this before, I am not a criminal and not usually careless. I am very angry at this aggressive way of controlling traffic without sufficient signage but I really want to say a huge thankyou to all who helped me to contact relatives to rescue me, brought me a cup of tea and helped move and empty my car.
A special thankyou also to my son Mark who left his business to come and collect me.

sad.gif Margaret Oakton.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Gumbo
post May 20 2009, 08:55 AM
Post #16


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 323
Joined: 13-May 09
Member No.: 19



QUOTE (Margo @ May 20 2009, 12:56 AM) *
sad.gif

That elderly lady yesterday (Monday) I think was me. I hit these bollards while following another vehicle and my car is a write off. If you were the very kind lady from the office who came to help me thank you so much. I did hit my head and I think was very dazed and could not stand for a while, and my arms and chest have huge bruises and so far have whiplash cannot move my right arm above my head. My headache is still quite bad but thankfully I did not harm anybody. Yes I cried when I realised I had gone wrong but I did not see the signs. I am not a careless driver and I was not trying to race or cut corners as other letters on this site seem to indicate. I simply was a visitor and was baffled by where I was since the road usage has changed since \i was there before. I have not ever done anything like this before, I am not a criminal and not usually careless. I am very angry at this aggressive way of controlling traffic without sufficient signage but I really want to say a huge thankyou to all who helped me to contact relatives to rescue me, brought me a cup of tea and helped move and empty my car.
A special thankyou also to my son Mark who left his business to come and collect me.

sad.gif Margaret Oakton.


You have my sympathies Margaret, unfortunately you will find that some people on this site are perfect and never make mistakes. The system is rubbish and dangerous. I have said it before and I will say it again the correct way to punish motorists who miss the signs or want to cheat is to have a camera that catches them and then sends them a nice little fine and 3 points in the post. This does not destroy the vehicle, this does not mean any harm will come to anybody, this does not mean the tax payer becomes liable for bollard repairs and it does mean that the person will learn from their mistake. As previous posters have said there are too many signs at the moment and if you are coming in to the town for the first time in a long time unless you are driving at 2mph and ignoring all other traffic around you then there is a good chance you will miss one of them.

No doubt you will join that ever growing list (and I am not just talking of people who get impaled on bollards) of people who say "I am never going to that town again".
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Hugh Saskin
post May 20 2009, 09:51 AM
Post #17


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 560
Joined: 14-May 09
Member No.: 37



sad.gif
QUOTE (Gumbo @ May 20 2009, 09:55 AM) *
You have my sympathies Margaret, unfortunately you will find that some people on this site are perfect and never make mistakes. The system is rubbish and dangerous. I have said it before and I will say it again the correct way to punish motorists who miss the signs or want to cheat is to have a camera that catches them and then sends them a nice little fine and 3 points in the post. This does not destroy the vehicle, this does not mean any harm will come to anybody, this does not mean the tax payer becomes liable for bollard repairs and it does mean that the person will learn from their mistake. As previous posters have said there are too many signs at the moment and if you are coming in to the town for the first time in a long time unless you are driving at 2mph and ignoring all other traffic around you then there is a good chance you will miss one of them.

No doubt you will join that ever growing list (and I am not just talking of people who get impaled on bollards) of people who say "I am never going to that town again".


These incidents have gone on long enough to warrant some detailed and measured research as to why they occur, and seemingly will keep occurring unless something is done. Surely the common denominator is not the drivers involved, but the bollards themselves and associated signing? Might it be worth commisioning some agency like the Road Research Laboratory or Quinetic in Farnborough to undertake such a study and see what recommendations they produce? Oh, sorry - that would be in an ideal world and I was forgetting the cost involved
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Blake
post May 20 2009, 11:03 AM
Post #18


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 507
Joined: 19-May 09
Member No.: 75



I have no sympathy with anyone who drives onto the bollards for this reason; reading road signs is an essential part of driving.

When learning to drive, you are taught this and it it has inherent legal implications. I have inspected the area where the bollards are and they are VERY well signposted.

I just hope WBC is reclaiming ALL the expenses of repairing the bollards from the dodgy drivers insurance firms.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Gumbo
post May 20 2009, 11:33 AM
Post #19


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 323
Joined: 13-May 09
Member No.: 19



QUOTE (Blake @ May 20 2009, 12:03 PM) *
I have no sympathy with anyone who drives onto the bollards for this reason; reading road signs is an essential part of driving.

When learning to drive, you are taught this and it it has inherent legal implications. I have inspected the area where the bollards are and they are VERY well signposted.

I just hope WBC is reclaiming ALL the expenses of repairing the bollards from the dodgy drivers insurance firms.


Congratulations on being so perfect Blake. I hope when the day comes and you make a terrible mistake (and you will because although you think you are perfect you are in fact human) other people will show you more compassion than you have shown poor Margaret here.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Andy
post May 20 2009, 12:34 PM
Post #20


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 318
Joined: 13-May 09
From: Newbury
Member No.: 26



I too have no real sympathy for drivers who cannot pay basic attention to road signs, but mabye improvements to the system can be made.

Perhaps the Council could get together with Reading buses and have a "Warning Rising Bollards" notice light up on the back of the buses, as mostly the accidentts are caused by tailgaters far too close to the buses, which could be linked automatically to the same signal that causes the bollards to drop.


--------------------
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

33 Pages V   1 2 3 > » 
Reply to this topicStart new topic
2 User(s) are reading this topic (2 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 29th March 2024 - 03:05 PM