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News and Comment January 2025

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25 January (Part 2) - Seriously dodgy

Ruxley roundaboutMaybe I read too much into the message and was too easily seduced by the comment “the Highways Manager is seriously dodgy” but the damage to Albion Road’s new roundabout was not as serious as I had imagined. Certainly it fell far short of the spectacular cock-up at Ruxley corner. (Photo 1.) Neither is it on a par with Wickham Lane where the combination of poor design and an adverse camber saw the diversion of bus services.

Bexley seems to have a particular problem with roundabouts and from Trinity Place to Watling Street it has some of the silliest in the South East. My transport consultant son, just back from advising the European Union this week, told me long ago that there is a simple bit of software that designs roundabouts. Tell it how much space you have and it will do its best and issue a warning about which vehicles will run into difficulty.

Alternatively tell it which sort of vehicle will be using it and it will specify a suitable roundabout. Despite this Bexley Council gets it wrong pretty much every time.

Gravel Hill roundabout Gravel Hill roundabout

Albion Road/Gravel Hill. Not the worst damage ever. You may judge its length by the kerb chip on the right of the second photo and left on the first.

 

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