Over two years after locals started asking the Highways Agency and Hampshire County Council to make the Tufton intersection safer for all road users there are still weekly near-misses, as drivers misunderstand the road layout or signage and put themselves and others in danger.
This photo was taken recently by a Tufton resident who happened to have a camera handy when he came across this HGV reversing back down the sliproad, as cars waited. In the words of one resident, "I think these photos speak for themselves really. This poor lorry driver did as many other drivers have done and got very confused at our badly designed intersection. Happens weekly, it's just that a Tufton resident so happened to have a camera near by this time. It is only a matter of time before the photo will be linked with a fatality statistic"
A senior local elected official added, "I too - some two years ago - encountered four young adults in a car with Polish plates going up the A34 exit ramp at Tufton. I was able to stop them before they could get to the A34 itself."
In reply Hampshire County Council Traffic Management - who are responsible for the signage, markings and road up to the sliproad - replied, "As discussed in previous correspondence, we are intending to implement some low cost improvements at this location during the current financial year. The County Council has no authority or funding to do a wider scheme on the Highway Agency managed slip road"
A reply by the Highways Agency stated: "The photos demonstrate that even with physical interventions the individual has ignored two regulatory signs and a regulatory road marking on the local road network prohibiting him from proceeding past that sign. We do understand your concerns about the issue of drivers going the wrong way down the slip road. However this is an enforcement matter and this incident or any similar incidents need to be reported to Hampshire Police in the first instance"
Local are surprised that the Highways Agency believes the driver of the HGV chose to 'ignore' the signs and road markings, as if the subsequent journey onto the wrong side of the A34 was a planned route. Instead the belief is that this driver - like many others before - was confused by the roading layout and did not understand the danger they were about to place themselves and others into.
If you have experienced a near-miss at this intersection please email tuftonordeath@gmail.com - your input will be recorded and shared with the authorities. Also please email your HCC representative Cllr Tom Thacker - tom.thacker@hants.gov.uk - as it is HCC who can make the most effective changes in the near future.
