Highways Agency: no-one's died yet.

This just in:

=================

Dear Mr Stead

 

Thank you for your Email below but I will not be attending the meeting as I am not in position to negotiate and agree changes to the strategic road network, at a meeting, as you are proposing. The Highways Agency has well established processes in place to identify and promote solutions to issues on its network.

 

I note that you are looking to the HA to reduce speed limit on the off-slip road but, as you have already been advised, this is not an option. To take forward alteration to the network requires a robust business case but, our review of speed limits, has not identified this slip road as a location where a reduction in speed limit is required. Consequently, we are unable to develop a business case for the change in speed limit, or bid for funds for related works such as new signage, etc. 

 

Nevertheless, we do not wish to discourage ideas on dealing with the issues on the network and would be happy to receives any other thoughts you may have. These can then be considered on their merit, with advice from our specialist advisors.

 

...Asset ManagerHighways Agency

==================

My subsequent response to the relevant HA manager, the HA area Manager and our MP (who had asked the HA to attend):

Dear ..., Ms Koenig, Sir George

I read with dismay in the below text that the HA is refusing to come and hear the concerns from locals regarding the aforementioned A34 slip road.

We were after no 'negotiation' or 'agreement' - we were simply asking for an HA representative to be present, to listen, to understand and to be an expert voice when locals or Hampshire County Council suggested solutions or ask questions. The big challenge here is that this intersection falls on the boundary between the HA and HCC.

This non-appearance and the text below - "our review of speed limits, has not identified this slip road as a location where a reduction in speed limit is required. Consequently, we are unable to develop a business case for the change in speed limit, or bid for funds for related works such as new signage, etc" - re-enforces our firmly held belief that someone - a spouse, child, partner - has to die at this clearly dangerous intersection before the HA will commit funds to any sort of review.

This rationale leaves me cold. Again I ask the HA to reconsider attendance at the meeting, seeing as we have now clarified that we expect nothing more than to be heard, and the outcome not pre-judged.