We have received letters in response to our article covering safety concerns on Manton Lane due to traffic management in the area.
Read: Bedford parent raises Manton Lane safety fears as council and schools dispute concerns
Editor,
Regarding the recent article about traffic on Manton Lane, it is a situation getting further and further out of control.
The traffic lights heavily favour Bedford Modern School, even at weekends when the school is not in session.
Of course, they (nor Bedford Greenacres) are going to have anything negative to say: they are, in fact, correct that the lights keep their traffic moving onto Manton Lane, but that is where the real problem lies.
The road simply cannot cope with the sheer volume of traffic travelling along it, and as a resident of the local area just off Gainsborough Rise, just getting out onto Manton Lane can be a struggle at times.
The number of motorists cutting through along Gainsborough Rise is on the increase, none of whom pay any attention to the 20mph limit or the tiny Speed Indicator sign just before the corner, where everyone speeds up to go down the hill.
Crossing this road every day with my children has become dangerous, and that’s before we’ve even touched on the ignorant parking (engine running, fumes spilling out) on Kneller Close.
We won’t mention the wardens who say there is no problem whilst we watch tens of cars spot them and turn round to park on the next road up (on the school crossing marks) on the occasions they do try to control the traffic.
Those asked in the article have a vested interest in Manton Lane staying as it is currently, as it benefits their parents and students, who are paying their wages.
Why hasn’t the Headteacher of Edith Cavell been asked her opinion? The school, with an entrance onto Manton Lane, hasn’t been mentioned once.
I’d also question at what time of day the council officers viewed the road and found “none of the issues” – it certainly wasn’t morning or afternoon school run time!
Manton Lane has been subject to so many works over the last few years, and each seems to have reduced the road’s suitability for use. Something needs to change for the better soon, or it will become unusable.
Lori Finch
Brangwyn Gardens
Editor’s note: Due to a misunderstanding, we failed to capture a response from Edith Cavell School. We have now asked for their thoughts on this issue, and will add their comment to the story if they reply. We will also make sure they are included in future discussions about this issue.
Editor,
I’ve read recently about traffic issues on Manton Lane and would like to add that the feeder lane from the opposite side of Sainsbury’s is unnecessarily dangerous due to the angle at the junction with Manton Lane.
The ‘Give Way’ on the feeder lane requires drivers to peer over their right shoulder (if they are physically able) into the roundabout exit, taking their eyes off the road ahead.
This is easily remedied by changing the priorities so that the feeder lane has right of way, and the ‘Give Way’ signage is placed before that junction.
This allows drivers from both directions (those on the feeder road and those exiting the roundabout) to keep their eyes on the road ahead and stay safely on the road.
An easy and cheap solution to an unnecessarily dangerous junction.
Norman Devereux
Carlton
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