26 May (Part 2) - Poor road design and Coroner’s advice ignored. Result, carnage
John
Watson has spoken to an eye-witness following
yesterday’s Maidstone
Road collision and has submitted the following account of what happened. As the police would no doubt wish
me to remind you, eye-witnesses are not always totally reliable.
Two marked Police cars appeared to be pursuing a suspect from Ruxley Roundabout
towards Swanley on their blues and twos.
Ahead was a white BMW and a traffic island which had been installed by Bexley
Council following a Coroner’s recommendation that a traffic controlled crossing
should be provided following the death of a lady a few years ago at this location.
I made an objection to Bexley Council at the time because they failed to comply
with the Coroner’s recommendations and the inadequate traffic island was in
the wrong position for passengers alighting from buses and intending to visit the two local nurseries.
One officer decided to overtake to the right of the traffic island, by which
time he was probably travelling at 70 m.p.h.
The male driver of the white BMW turned right in front of the approaching police car
to go into the BMW garage which caused the police car to smash into the white BMW’s rear
offside wing and wheel. Both vehicles spun on impact.
Airbags were deployed in the police BMW causing its windscreen to crack. The driver of the white
BMW needed assistance to exit his car. When he did he was wearing a white neck support.
Presumably the driver of the white BMW should have checked his mirror before turning right into the garage. It is
absolutely necessary in Abbey Road where it passes Lesnes Abbey. Ever since Andrew Bashford
lied about his road design complying with the Transport Research Laboratory’s
recommendations for narrowing roads, boy racers and the occasional bus driver
overtakes those adhering to the speed limit by passing traffic islands on the
wrong side. In some places Bexley Council has made it almost mandatory by placing islands
adjacent to bus stops. Absolutely nuts - as always.
Note to journalists: There have so far been three requests from the media to use John
Watson’s pictures. To avoid delay just take them and
notify later.
The same goes for all photos on Bexley-is-Bonkers.