Traffic on A6-Writing to Neil O’Brien MP
Dear Editor,
Thank you for highlighting the issues with the A6. Please note the following email I have sent to Neil O’Brien in support of his campaign.
E-mail sent
Dear Mr O’Brien,
In response to the article on the front page of the Kibworth & District Chronicle, I would like to make some comments and requests in support of your campaign.
I’m sure that the majority of residents in Kibworth and beyond will be thankful that you are bringing to the County Council’s attention the safety concerns regarding the A6. The Telraam statistics are evidence alone that there is a very serious problem that needs addressing. However, it is clear that the Council does not see fit to consider the issue, which is raised on a regular basis. Why should this time be any different? I feel that it is going to be necessary to consider the wider picture.
Firstly, please take into consideration that ALL of the junctions that join the A6 are dangerous, and any changes to the ones at Church Road and New Road are likely to have an effect on others, such as Hall Close and the two Main Street junctions. These are equally difficult to turn right out of, but many residents have no choice but to use them. Add to that the through traffic from the outlying villages and the problem is increased ten-fold. Many of these vehicles are just getting from A to B and have little care or respect for the residents. Try spending a few minutes on Main Street to witness queue-jumping, road rage and speeding, not to mention frequent damage to residents’ parked cars and HGVs that shouldn’t even be using the road!
Which brings me on to my next point; are the pollution readings still monitored, and are they made public? I have looked on the HDC website, and the most recent NOx Tube Data is from 2023. It would be most interesting to see the current reports in conjunction with the Telraam readings. If I recall correctly, the readings taken on the A6 by the cottages before the sharp bend had one of the worst records in the county, well above the national limit. These surely need to be taken into consideration?
Finally, whilst it is frustrating that the available money is going to now be spent on “a scheme at the Wistow Road roundabout that includes measures for cyclists”, as a cyclist, I would be greatly encouraged to hear that there are improvements in hand to make cycling safer! But as it is, cyclists take their life in their hands on all parts of the A6, so what does improving just one roundabout achieve?! Without dedicated cycling lanes along the entire stretch of the A6 that mean it can be properly and safely used for commuting, the money will surely be wasted. The lack of commitment to cycling in this area is disgraceful and frankly an embarrassment.
If, as you say, “new development is planned in and around the village” then now is the time to put real pressure on the County Council for answers, and as much evidence as possible is going to be needed. I signed your petition when you first published it, and I urge others to do so now, as a result of your front-page article.
Please can you continue to provide any updates to the Kibworth & District Chronicle, the best way of reaching 5,000+ households?
Kind regards,
Kibworth resident.
Kibworth and District Heritage Society
