Safety Scheme Aims to Reduce Deaths on the A61
The South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership via its Safety Camera Unit is now undertaking work for a major new safety initiative aimed at tackling the high level of casualties on a notorious stretch of road which runs through parts of Sheffield and Barnsley.
Statistics
The A61, running between Grenoside, Sheffield and the A616 (T) roundabout in Barnsley, has experienced a total of six fatalities and 19 serious injuries in the last five years. A further 93 people have suffered from slight injuries as a result of collisions on the road.
| 2007 - 2011 | |
| Number of fatalities | 6 |
| Number of serious injuries | 19 |
| Number of slight injuries | 93 |
| Total | 118 |
Reducing the number of collisions on the A61
In order to address this problem a new speed controlled zone is being created using a series of average speed cameras to control vehicle speeds on the 5.5km stretch of road. The section of the A61 to be covered by the cameras includes a series of bends through Grenoside Woods and major road junctions which have experienced collisions in the past.
Based upon data provided by the Department for Transport in their report ‘A Valuation of Road Accidents and Casualties in GB in 2010’, the current average costs to society as a result of these collisions is in excess of £2.8million per year.
A sample of the types of cameras to be installed. A total of eight cameras (four facing in each direction) will be installed along the 5.5km route.
Once the cameras are operational the route will be clearly signed in accordance with guidelines set by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Department for Transport (DfT).
Timescales
Work to install the cameras on the A61 will start on 19 October and is expected to be completed by early 2013. Some of this work will involve temporary traffic signals at certain times of day but to minimise disruption no work will be taking place at peak times.
Useful links
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