‘Killer’ lay-by campaign launched
Aust councillor calls for action after road death
A campaign to close a ‘killer’ lay-by in the village of Aust after a recent road death has been launched by a local councillor.
On 12th July, a motorcyclist died after colliding with a school bus on the stretch of the A403 at Aust and lorries parked in a nearby lay-by are being blamed for reducing visibility as vehicles come round a bend and join the A403 from the M48 junction roundabout.
Conservative councillor for the Severn ward, Matthew Riddle, is now calling for the lay-by to be scrapped, for other road safety measures to be introduced and for the Highways Agency and South Gloucestershire Council to work together to improve road safety.
Cllr Riddle plans to attend tomorrow’s meeting (Tuesday 30th July) of the Planning, Transport and Strategic Environment Committee to make his case.
Road safety was last improved along the northern section of the A403 near Aust when the council decided to lower the speed limit to 50mph in 2007 in response to campaigning efforts by Cllr Riddle and Aust Parish Council.
Cllr Riddle, who is working with residents to circulate a petition around the village, said:
“Anyone living or working locally who travels along the A403 from the M48 junction roundabout will have witnessed at some stage the reduced visibility when lorries are occupying the lay-by.
I firmly believe that this is a killer lay-by and this campaign is about getting some action on behalf of local residents who have very real concerns about road safety after this latest fatality.
South Gloucestershire Council and the Highways Agency need to work together on this and I would encourage local people to add their names to the petition so we can demonstrate the strength of feeling that something needs to be done.”