ONCE again Meltham Road between Lockwood Bar and Big Valley at the foot of Netherton hill has been named ‘notorious’.
It is a ‘killer road’.
To call a road ‘notorious’ or a ‘killer’ is like kicking furniture because you were stupid enough to bump into it.
Children smack things they bump into. Naughty chair!
A road is an inanimate object. Cars are inanimate objects. The people who drive on roads and who don’t drive on them safely cause accidents or become victims of accidents.
I’ve pointed out before that Meltham Road isn’t intrinsically dangerous. It is wide, reasonably well lit, well-cambered and well-surfaced.
But there’s no denying it’s an accident blackspot (or rather, blackstretch).
Unlike any other similar Huddersfield approach road, there are no speed restriction signs anywhere, actually from Folly Hall to the foot of Netherton hill, which is the best part of two miles.
The vast majority of drivers are responsible, but we have all become used to taking our cue from road signs.
A road with no signs invites irresponsible drivers to take risks and liberties and put their foot down.
So what Meltham Road needs is devices reminding people that they should be travelling much slower – either with vehicle-activated or static signs at regular intervals.
The council has started work on a package of safety measures. Let’s hope they cut the carnage.
