Police warning as drivers ignore A36 junction measures

9:11am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in Warminster By Andy Baber

Signs at the Upton Lovell junction Signs at the Upton Lovell junction

Drivers are endangering lives by ignoring the temporary road closure on part of Manor Road, which prevents vehicles leaving Upton Lovell and getting on to the A36.

Wiltshire Council and the Highways Agency decided to close part of Manor Road in January, after lengthy discussions, following an inquest verdict on Stanley “Rocky” Knight.

Mr Knight died in June last year, from multiple traumatic injuries, after his car collided with a 32-tonne lorry as he made the turning out of Upton Lovell and on to the A36.

Fellow Upton Lovell residents Althea and Antony Barrington-Brown were also killed in a similar collision, just yards further down the road, in January 2012.

However, some road users are choosing to ignore the signs and barriers placed at the closure.

Police say they will now be prosecuting the driver of any vehicle seen breaching the closure order.

Inspector Lindsey Winter said: “While I appreciate that there are people who may not agree, the formal decision has been made that the part of Manor Road Upton Lovell up to the junction with the A36 is closed.

“Legislation dictates and this is deemed for the safety of road users.

“It is important that the police work in conjunction with other agencies in keeping people safe.

“Road users should not be using this junction to leave Upton Lovell on to the A36.

“Police will be working with the council and the local community to enforce this.

“I would urge people to take notice of the signage and adhere to it.”

There will be police patrols in the area and drivers will face a £60 fixed penalty notice for a contravention of the rules.

Police will also be working with the local community to tackle any persistent offenders breaching the order.

Upton Lovell Parish Council chairman Jon Perrett said: “The temporary road closure has been in place for a few weeks now, but some people are still going out of the junction on to the A36.”

He added: “It doesn’t appear to be villagers who are doing this and the number has gone down since the clear ‘No exit to the A36’ signs went up, but there are some that still come out on to the A36.

“Villagers who know the history of the junction find it extraordinary and very dangerous, so I would ask people to please not take the risk.”

A spokesman for Wiltshire Council said: “We support the activity of the local people and the police in preventing drivers from coming out of the Manor Road junction on to the A36.”

Comments (7)

10:27am Wed 13 Mar 13

Dummer_Frauenfahrer says...

As the history of this junction proves those drivers now ignoring that sign face paying for it with their lives and not just a £60 fine. The real concern of course is if if they also injure or kill the innocent motorist that they collide with on the A36.
As the history of this junction proves those drivers now ignoring that sign face paying for it with their lives and not just a £60 fine. The real concern of course is if if they also injure or kill the innocent motorist that they collide with on the A36. Dummer_Frauenfahrer

1:39pm Wed 13 Mar 13

rustybucket says...

In the past fortnight I've seen a brewery lorry, an oil tanker, a coal lorry and a red van exiting the village onto the A36 with total disregard to the signage. But who moved/pushed the barriers at the very top of this junction to the side?
In the past fortnight I've seen a brewery lorry, an oil tanker, a coal lorry and a red van exiting the village onto the A36 with total disregard to the signage. But who moved/pushed the barriers at the very top of this junction to the side? rustybucket

4:51pm Wed 13 Mar 13

old 'arry says...

This is surely not a legal road sign? It is not on the list of approved European signs. Main problem is that it is not pictorial - anyone whose language is not English cannot know what it means. There is a perfectly good white horizontal bar on red background round sign which is internationally understood.
This is surely not a legal road sign? It is not on the list of approved European signs. Main problem is that it is not pictorial - anyone whose language is not English cannot know what it means. There is a perfectly good white horizontal bar on red background round sign which is internationally understood. old 'arry

4:55pm Wed 13 Mar 13

old 'arry says...

I am referring to the "Road closed", not the other round, legal sign which means "no motor vehicles". You ask what is the difference with the white bar on a red disc? The one in the picture does NOT forbid horse-drawn carts or bicycles, for example.
I am referring to the "Road closed", not the other round, legal sign which means "no motor vehicles". You ask what is the difference with the white bar on a red disc? The one in the picture does NOT forbid horse-drawn carts or bicycles, for example. old 'arry

9:19am Thu 14 Mar 13

beetawix says...

if the road is supposed to be closed then it should not be open.
Put up a locked gate or some hefty bollards.
if the road is supposed to be closed then it should not be open. Put up a locked gate or some hefty bollards. beetawix

10:39am Thu 14 Mar 13

Dummer_Frauenfahrer says...

beetawix wrote:
if the road is supposed to be closed then it should not be open.
Put up a locked gate or some hefty bollards.
You miss the point - the traffic order prevents vehicles from exiting that road onto the A36, it does not prevent vehicles turning off the A36 (from either direction) into that road.
[quote][p][bold]beetawix[/bold] wrote: if the road is supposed to be closed then it should not be open. Put up a locked gate or some hefty bollards.[/p][/quote]You miss the point - the traffic order prevents vehicles from exiting that road onto the A36, it does not prevent vehicles turning off the A36 (from either direction) into that road. Dummer_Frauenfahrer

5:47pm Thu 14 Mar 13

beetawix says...

Thanks, I did miss that one, or more accurately, made an incorrect assumption.
I guess risky short cuts will continue
Thanks, I did miss that one, or more accurately, made an incorrect assumption. I guess risky short cuts will continue beetawix

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree