Funding for the proposals, worth around £2.2 million, has come from the Department for Transport’s Safer Roads Fund to improve safety along the 50 most dangerous roads in the country.
To support the online public consultation, two drop-in sessions will be held at the Cromford Community Centre, 7-9 Market Place, Cromford, Matlock, DE4 3RE with highways and road safety staff available to answer questions on:
- Thursday 2 March from 2pm to 8pm
- Tuesday 14 March from 2pm to 8pm.
Feedback and comments can be shared by completing the online questionnaire
Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the safety proposals under consideration for the A5012 include:
- lowering the national speed limit section west of Grange Mill to 50mph and installing average speed cameras within the existing and extended 50mph section of the route to tackle excessive speeding, helping to reduce accidents
- installing new traffic signals at the Grange Mill crossroads
- improving the A5012 junction with Clatterway leading into Bonsall to reduce vehicle speeds by narrowing the road and extending the pavement
- providing a new right turn lane and moving the kerb at the A5012 and Friden junction
- improving the road markings to alert drivers to keep in the right lane and to stay on the road surface
- improving road drainage along the route to reduce standing surface water during heavy rainfall
- improving visibility around bends and at junctions by removing bushes and trees
- installing new crash barriers on major bends, providing better protection to road users in case of an accident
- improving the grass verges with a firmer surface where public rights of way cross the A5012 to make it safer for walkers waiting to cross the road
Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport said:
“Improving road safety is a priority for the county council and we welcome the government funding to deliver these ambitious proposals along the A5012 between Cromford and Newhaven.
“Our proposals include a mixture of techniques and engineering solutions to encourage people to slow down and drive at a more appropriate speed for the road conditions.
“We want to hear from people who live and work in the area and use the route in their car, bike, motorcycle or on foot to help us refine our proposals.
“I’d like to encourage people to get involved and have their say by attending one of our drop-in sessions during March and by completing our online questionnaire available on the county council’s website.
“By working together with the local community, we will be able to deliver the very best safety solutions for this route.”
The safety proposals along the A5012 are just one part of the county council’s £6.8 million award from the Government’s Safer Roads Fund. Work on the A619 Baslow to Bakewell ‘Thirteen Bends’ has been completed and consultation about proposals for the A5004 between Buxton and Whaley Bridge ‘Long Hill’ has recently closed.
The public consultation will close on Sunday 26 March 2023.