We received 184 responses to the public consultation held in December last year, which included letter drops to raise awareness, face-to-face exhibitions at Buxton and Whaley Bridge and an online questionnaire.
Funding for the proposals along the route, worth around £2.3 million, has come from the Department for Transport’s Safer Roads Fund to improve safety along the 50 most dangerous roads in the country.
Of the 184 responses received, 92 were about the plans to introduce 7 new average speed cameras along sections of the route to tackle inappropriate speeding and road traffic collisions.
The feedback showed that 63% of the people who commented about the introduction of the average speed cameras supported the proposals.
Feedback from the consultation also showed strong support for the following:
Improving the A5004 junction with the A53 in Buxton town centre
We are looking at options to redesign the junction to make it safer for all road users as well as creating a new off-road pedal cycle route to the Old Road.
Providing better pedal cycle connections between Buxton and Whaley Bridge
This would be along the Old Road section to improve links to the county’s off-road cycle network.
Extending the existing pavement to create new, raised crossing points across side road entrances
This would slow down vehicles, giving pedestrians and cyclists priority over other road users to improve road safety.
Known as ‘Copenhagen’ crossings, they will be introduced at the A5004 junctions with Park Road, Devonshire Road and Marlborough Road in Buxton and at New Road in Whaley Bridge. At the A5004 Vaughan Road and Mevril Road junctions in Whaley Bridge, new tactile paving will be provided and the pavement will be widened to improve pedestrian safety.
Councillor Charlotte Cupit, Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport said:
“Thank you to everyone who took part in our major public consultation exercise about our plans to improve road safety along the A5004 Long Hill.
“Feedback from local people who use the road day in, day out is essential to help us refine our proposals to maximise their effectiveness.
“The positive support for the introduction of new average speed cameras shows that local people recognise the need for safety improvements to be made.
“We received a number of additional comments to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists which we are considering.
“We will be looking very carefully at these suggestions and, where we can, introduce additional improvements as a direct result of community feedback.
“We are looking forward to finalising the scheme in readiness to start work during the winter and will keep the local community updated.”
Subject to agreement at next week’s Cabinet meeting, work is likely to start next year subject to final site surveys, feedback from statutory consultees, the appointment of contractors and weather conditions.