EM/153/02
PUBLIC URGED TO ''MIND THE GAP'' AND HAVE SAY ON PLANS FOR A1 AT FOSTON AND LONG BENNINGTON
Villagers living alongside the A1 are being reminded by the Highways Agency to have their say on safety measures lined up between Long Bennington and Foston.
Residents and road users only have until the end of this month (30 September) to make their views known on the draft proposals which were recently published in the local press.
The Highways Agency proposals include: * closing the central reserve gaps on the A1 at Newark Hill, Foston crossroads and Newark Hill Junction as well as other minor gaps used by local farmers along this stretch * minimising the effects on local traffic, and maintaining access between Foston and Long Bennington, by building a 820-metre long link road between Newark Hill, Foston and Main Road, Long Bennington * improving slip roads at Foston Crossroads and Allington Lane * improving the right hand turn lane from the A1 southbound carriageway to Allington just south of Gonerby Moor Roundabout * creating a new farm access track, west of the A1 and south of Sewstern Lane to serve a number of local farms * maintaining pedestrian and cyclist access across the A1 at Foston Crossroads * closing the layby on the A1 south of Foston crossroads on safety grounds as it is too close to the proposed slip road at the crossroads * adding new hedgerows to replace those removed for the works and planting various species of native shrubs and trees.
Highways Agency Project Sponsor Norman Johnson explained: "Our proposals are designed to improve safety on this busy stretch of the A1 trunk road. There have been 17 accidents, including three fatalities, in the past five years. We want to remind people that they have the opportunity up until 30 September to comment or make representations about the scheme."
Copies of the draft orders and the relevant plans can be inspected locally at: Lincolnshire County Council, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln, LN1 1YL; South Kesteven District Council, Council Offices, St Peter''s Hill, Grantham, NG31 6PZ and the Sub Post Office, Potts Store, 46 Main Road, Long Bennington, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG23 5DJ.
Notes to Editors 1. The Highways Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, which manages, maintains and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England on behalf of the Secretary of State. It works closely with other transport operators and with local authorities to integrate the trunk road network with the rest of England''s roads and other forms of transport. More information is available at http://www.highways.gov.uk
2. Latest annual figures show that 22 people died and over 1,300 were injured because of driving accidents on roads with roadworks. This includes the deaths of five workers, killed whilst doing their job to maintain and improve the carriageway. The Highways Agency, with the support of the Driving Standards Agency and the Department for Transport, has created six messages to raise driver awareness to help prevent accidents: Keep to the speed limit - it is there for your safety Get into the correct lane in good time - don''t keep switching Concentrate on the road ahead, not on the roadworks Be alert for works traffic leaving or entering roadworks Keep a safe distance - there could be queues in front
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