Catthorpe re-modelling
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Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
And the introduction of smart motorway technology because there’s no hard shoulder. Highways England will be massacred if they put up blue signs without that.
Though roads may not put a smile on everyone's face, there is one road that always will: the road to home.
Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
A new Bridleway was built that goes under the A14 alongside the Avon here.Bryn666 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 15:37Excellent, I thought they'd left those in. In that case there's really nothing preventing extending motorway regulations eastwards other than lack of political will and legislative knowledge to grasp how motorways are supposed to work.Alderpoint wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 15:01There are no footpaths (or bridleways) across the section of the A14 between the M1 and J1/A5199 - the few near the M1 junction were all removed/rerouted when Catthorpe was rebuilt.Bryn666 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 13:22 It also would require several footpaths that cross it on the level to be diverted, and HE don't like doing that unless they absolutely have to. Or if they can get a poncey architect to come up with a completely OTT 'signature' footbridge in a rural setting when a simple bridge would achieve the same result, that is usually the fastest way to do it.
Indeed I can't find any all the way to Rothwell.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.39904 ... !1e3?hl=en
The lack of a suitable alternative route on what is an all purpose road is what prevents it becoming a motorway. The road between J2 and the A6 has been all purpose since the A14 was extended from Kettering to Catthorpe, the A14 east to the A1 was formerly the A604 and has always been All Purpose. The reality is that there are lot of farms along that section who's only access is via the A14, get the money to build an LAR and then you can look at introducing motorway regulations.
Note the nice flat junction here.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.38718 ... 6656?hl=en
Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
Pretty sure they were just talking about extending the motorway regs from Catthorpe to the A5199 junction. That section of A14 obviously does not serve any non-motorway traffic.
Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
I don't think anyone is talking about motorway regulations extending any further east than the A5199.KeithW wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 23:44The lack of a suitable alternative route on what is an all purpose road is what prevents it becoming a motorway. The road between J2 and the A6 has been all purpose since the A14 was extended from Kettering to Catthorpe, the A14 east to the A1 was formerly the A604 and has always been All Purpose. The reality is that there are lot of farms along that section who's only access is via the A14, get the money to build an LAR and then you can look at introducing motorway regulations.
Chris
Roads.org.uk
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Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
I don't see why... it is not as if they are *removing* the hard-shoulder?
Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
But otherwise all they would have done to make it a motorway is closed or repurposed some laybys and changed signage.Micro The Maniac wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 08:57I don't see why... it is not as if they are *removing* the hard-shoulder?
Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
Westbound Non Motorway traffic is already instructed to leave the A14 at J1
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.39709 ... 312!8i6656
The westbound slip road off the A5199 shows M1/M6 and blue signs.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.39441 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.39699 ... 312!8i6656
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Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
This seems odd - I thought that non-motorway roads leading only to motorways weren't allowed, hence the existence of roads like the A6144(M) and A601(M). Yet here the A14 is clearly signed as a non-motorway with green signs - so non-motorway traffic is allowed - yet at the next junction there's a fork leading to chopsticks signs on both branches, leaving them nowhere to go.
The signs at the A5199 also seem wrong - they include chopsticks symbols, indicating that the motorway starts at this junction, which it doesn't. It seems that the signs are trying to claim that this road is a motorway even when it isn't one, presumably to avoid people ending up in the situation described. It would seem this road should really have a TRO with motorway-equivalent restrictions (and green "NO" signs), to avoid trapping non-motorway traffic at the M1/M6 fork, if it isn't to actually be a motorway.
An interesting question - if someone drove a motorway-prohibited vehicle down the A14 to the fork, then pulled over, what offence would they be committing if any? There's no restriction prohibiting them from being where they are, and as they can't legally proceed any further (or go back) then they can't be committing an offence by stopping.
The signs at the A5199 also seem wrong - they include chopsticks symbols, indicating that the motorway starts at this junction, which it doesn't. It seems that the signs are trying to claim that this road is a motorway even when it isn't one, presumably to avoid people ending up in the situation described. It would seem this road should really have a TRO with motorway-equivalent restrictions (and green "NO" signs), to avoid trapping non-motorway traffic at the M1/M6 fork, if it isn't to actually be a motorway.
An interesting question - if someone drove a motorway-prohibited vehicle down the A14 to the fork, then pulled over, what offence would they be committing if any? There's no restriction prohibiting them from being where they are, and as they can't legally proceed any further (or go back) then they can't be committing an offence by stopping.
Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
You end up leaving the road here: https://www.google.com/maps/@52.4067025 ... 312!8i6656SteelCamel wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 19:20 This seems odd - I thought that non-motorway roads leading only to motorways weren't allowed, hence the existence of roads like the A6144(M) and A601(M). Yet here the A14 is clearly signed as a non-motorway with green signs - so non-motorway traffic is allowed - yet at the next junction there's a fork leading to chopsticks signs on both branches, leaving them nowhere to go.
The signs at the A5199 also seem wrong - they include chopsticks symbols, indicating that the motorway starts at this junction, which it doesn't. It seems that the signs are trying to claim that this road is a motorway even when it isn't one, presumably to avoid people ending up in the situation described. It would seem this road should really have a TRO with motorway-equivalent restrictions (and green "NO" signs), to avoid trapping non-motorway traffic at the M1/M6 fork, if it isn't to actually be a motorway.
An interesting question - if someone drove a motorway-prohibited vehicle down the A14 to the fork, then pulled over, what offence would they be committing if any? There's no restriction prohibiting them from being where they are, and as they can't legally proceed any further (or go back) then they can't be committing an offence by stopping.
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Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
Isn't that already well past the chopsticks signs?c2R wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 19:28 You end up leaving the road here: https://www.google.com/maps/@52.4067025 ... 312!8i6656
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Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
but wouldnt be allowed that far?c2R wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 19:28You end up leaving the road here: https://www.google.com/maps/@52.4067025 ... 312!8i6656SteelCamel wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 19:20 This seems odd - I thought that non-motorway roads leading only to motorways weren't allowed, hence the existence of roads like the A6144(M) and A601(M). Yet here the A14 is clearly signed as a non-motorway with green signs - so non-motorway traffic is allowed - yet at the next junction there's a fork leading to chopsticks signs on both branches, leaving them nowhere to go.
The signs at the A5199 also seem wrong - they include chopsticks symbols, indicating that the motorway starts at this junction, which it doesn't. It seems that the signs are trying to claim that this road is a motorway even when it isn't one, presumably to avoid people ending up in the situation described. It would seem this road should really have a TRO with motorway-equivalent restrictions (and green "NO" signs), to avoid trapping non-motorway traffic at the M1/M6 fork, if it isn't to actually be a motorway.
An interesting question - if someone drove a motorway-prohibited vehicle down the A14 to the fork, then pulled over, what offence would they be committing if any? There's no restriction prohibiting them from being where they are, and as they can't legally proceed any further (or go back) then they can't be committing an offence by stopping.
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Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
It is past the chopsticks, yes. I'd presume if you had a tractor at the chopsticks, and phoned the police, they'd direct you to stay left and exit at the gate.
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Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
Yes, under police instruction I think that's allowed. Without it, you've broken both the motorway restrictions and the "no motor vehicles" at the gate. Still seems like a pretty major error to create a road that you can legally be on but have no legal way to leave without police assistance.
Actually looking at the Wiki it seems this has already been noted. Though I'd disagree that the signs make it clear that this road leads only to the motorway - from the A5199 it's a green sign, and how many people outside SABRE know that the chopsticks is supposed to indicate "motorway starts immediately" rather than "motorway this way". Especially given how many other places incorrectly have a chopsticks symbol on signs. It would be clearer if the sign was blue (still incorrect, but gets the message across). But the real answer surely is to put a TRO on it, which would allow "NO" signs at the A5199/A14 junction.
Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
(My bold)SteelCamel wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 12:02 ....Actually looking at the Wiki it seems this has already been noted. Though I'd disagree that the signs make it clear that this road leads only to the motorway - from the A5199 it's a green sign, and how many people outside SABRE know that the chopsticks is supposed to indicate "motorway starts immediately" rather than "motorway this way". Especially given how many other places incorrectly have a chopsticks symbol on signs. It would be clearer if the sign was blue (still incorrect, but gets the message across). But the real answer surely is to put a TRO on it, which would allow "NO" signs at the A5199/A14 junction.
KeithW wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 15:44 Westbound Non Motorway traffic is already instructed to leave the A14 at J1
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.39709 ... 312!8i6656
The westbound slip road off the A5199 shows M1/M6 and blue signs.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.39441 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.39699 ... 312!8i6656
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Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
Blue panels like that in a flag sign are non prescribed and they were never specially authorised by the DfT so I'd love to know what background processes and decision making took place.
Bryn
Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already.
She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
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Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already.
She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
Blog - https://showmeasign.online/
X - https://twitter.com/ShowMeASignBryn
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BrynBuck
Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
It's still far less clear than it should be from the A5199. The ADS shows blue on white with M1 and M6 in brackets, indicating that the motorways are an option rather than forced. The flag signs are blue on green, confirming that you will be joining a primary route rather than a motorway. There is no mention of non-motorway traffic. There are no chopstick signs. You could pay attention to all the signage but still take your non-motorway vehicle down that sliproad as there has been zero warning that it leads ineluctably to a motorway.Big L wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 13:04(My bold)SteelCamel wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 12:02 ....Actually looking at the Wiki it seems this has already been noted. Though I'd disagree that the signs make it clear that this road leads only to the motorway - from the A5199 it's a green sign, and how many people outside SABRE know that the chopsticks is supposed to indicate "motorway starts immediately" rather than "motorway this way". Especially given how many other places incorrectly have a chopsticks symbol on signs. It would be clearer if the sign was blue (still incorrect, but gets the message across). But the real answer surely is to put a TRO on it, which would allow "NO" signs at the A5199/A14 junction.KeithW wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 15:44 Westbound Non Motorway traffic is already instructed to leave the A14 at J1
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.39709 ... 312!8i6656
The westbound slip road off the A5199 shows M1/M6 and blue signs.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.39441 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.39699 ... 312!8i6656
Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
I'd say a similar level of decision making, from people with a similar level of understanding, to the decision not to apply motorway regulations in the first place. It is a cock up, and the signs match it perfectly.
Chris
Roads.org.uk
Roads.org.uk
Re: New Lower Thames Crossing
Indeed, and it's not new is it. We should have seen this coming with Micklefield back in 1999.
Bryn
Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already.
She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
Blog - https://showmeasign.online/
X - https://twitter.com/ShowMeASignBryn
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BrynBuck
Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already.
She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
Blog - https://showmeasign.online/
X - https://twitter.com/ShowMeASignBryn
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BrynBuck