Fears of 'extremely nasty accident' under bridge

Some residents believe the speed limit beneath the bridge, which is currently 50mph, should be reduced

A parish council chairman says he fears an "extremely nasty" traffic accident is going to occur beneath a railway bridge.

Residents, bus drivers and councillors have expressed concern that the height of the bridge over the A48 at Jordan Hill in Westbury-on-Severn, means tall vehicles have to move into the centre of the road.

Speaking at a public meeting on Tuesday, Simon Phelps said the parish council wants to see a 30mph limit imposed beneath the bridge, where the speed limit is currently 50mph.

Joe Harris, cabinet member for highways maintenance at Gloucestershire County Council, said it will work with police and the parish council once the force has conducted speed surveys at the site.

One resident said she has stood on the A48 and directed traffic following 24 different crashes over seven years.

"The speed limit is the issue," she said.

"You've got a double blind bend with a low bridge that you can't see until you are outside of our houses.

"By that time you've already got a double decker bus or a HGV coming under the bridge in the central lane."

Mr Phelps said: "Our great fear is that, sooner or later, there's going to be an extremely nasty accident under that bridge, potentially resulting in a fatality."

Simon Phelps, chair of Westbury-on-Severn Parish Council, said he fears a fatal accident will occur beneath the railway bridge

A bus driver, who spoke at the public meeting, said he had driven a double decker under the bridge 174 times since 1 January, and had a "near miss" 158 of those times.

Some residents said they wanted the 30mph speed limit through Westbury to be extended as far as the bridge and county council representatives told them it would cost £15,000 to impose a traffic regulation order (TRO) to do so.

A speed activated sign telling motorists to slow down would cost £5,000, with an additional £15,000 needed for the power source, the representative added.

Mr Phelps said while they "understand there is a £15,000 fee attached to a TRO, it can be spread among several parishes that wish to have TROs introduced".