National Highways

Noted (AI summary) National Highways will investigate road markings, signing, and carriageway layout on the A5, with a view to identifying mitigation measures to reduce injudicious overtaking. Implementation of any measures is subject to funding availability, with the investigation to be completed by 30/06/2026 and implementation in FY 2026-27. • Moss Farm Shop has asked Midland Signs to prepare a "no right turn" sign to be placed at the exit of the car park. • Moss Farm Shop will advise drivers leaving the shop not to turn right.

Noted (AI summary) National Highways states that current barrier provision meets requirements, and no further action is planned. They state that they have confirmed that the length of barrier meets requirements, and that the circumstances are uncommon elsewhere on the SRN.

Noted (AI summary) National Highways acknowledges the concerns but states that funding constraints require prioritizing bridge upgrades based on the number of suicide-related incidents, and there are currently no plans to increase the parapet fence height at the specified footbridge. They will continue to monitor and assess all locations in the North West. Salford City Council states that the bridge structure is a National Highways asset, and they will assist with traffic management if needed.

Noted (AI summary) National Highways states that they are not the relevant highway authority and that Cumberland Council is responsible for the A595 at Orton Grange. Following a pedestrian survey, the Highways department has deemed the existing refuge adequate and proposes no changes to the current arrangement.

Noted (AI summary) Milton Keynes City Council states they have received no formal complaints about the junction, confirm that the slip road and signage are the responsibility of National Highways, and note that they will cooperate with any actions arising from the inquest that are in their power. Google is working on improvements to the timing of audio guidance in Google Maps, including an amended audio prompt for junctions where drivers cross an overpass and anticipate launching these changes in the near future. TomTom has implemented additional safeguards to limit driver confusion at the A5 Little Brickhill junction by timing verbal commands closer to the actual exit and after passing the off-slip road; these changes require users to update their maps. Apple found no data or routing error on Maps, but will add special voice guidance for drivers heading past the A5 offramp toward the A5 onramp instructing them to "Continue straight at the overpass" and then "Turn right onto A5 toward Milton Keynes, Bletchley," which will be live by the start of next week.

Noted (AI summary) National Highways will conduct a study to identify options for improving road user notification of incidents, aiming to complete it by late Summer/Autumn 2023 and prepare an implementation plan. Dorset Road Safe partnership will add a clear link to their website indicating who to contact regarding road obstructions, highlight associated dangers, and launch a communications campaign across various media platforms to alert road users to obstructions on Dorset roads. Dorset Council, as part of Dorset Road Safe, will introduce a simple reporting process and contact information for obstructions/debris on the road to their website. A communications campaign will be constructed to alert all road users around obstructions/debris on Dorset’s roads using various media platforms. The Department for Transport outlines existing legislation and guidance regarding road obstructions, including the Highways Act 1980 and the Highway Code. They conclude that no further action is appropriate for the Department to take at this stage. BCP Council states that the response letter from the Dorset Police Chief Constable conveys the views of BCP Council, via the Dorset Road Safe Partnership.

Noted (AI summary) Hampshire County Council acknowledges the concerns but states that National Highways is responsible for the bridge in question. They offer to work collaboratively with National Highways to review solutions. National Highways will install Samaritans signs by September 2022, add the location to the South East "Network Needs" list by December 2022, add it to the agenda of Hampshire Safer Roads Partnership quarterly meeting in December 2022 and apply for funding for a study into suicide prevention at this location by September 2023.

Noted (AI summary) National Highways expresses sympathy and highlights existing measures to improve safety, including public awareness campaigns and the Smart Motorway Safety Evidence Stocktake and Action Plan. They urge road users to inform themselves about emergency procedures and who to contact.