Widemarsh Street Kerb Design
Case reference FOI2022/01248
Published 23 September 2022
Request
I note that a new white line has been painted along the kerb edge in Widemarsh Street, hence I ask why when this kerb edge was installed the council stated that it met with all safety regulations and now after many accidents you are going to redo this street at a cost of many thousands of pounds?
However, why a white line when the most seen colour in daylight light is yellow and the most seen colour at night is green, hence hi-vis colours are a lime green, now orange?
Under freedom of information can you tell me how many accidents have been caused from this kerb edge?
Response
I note that a new white line has been painted along the kerb edge in Widemarsh Street, hence I ask why when this kerb edge was installed the council stated that it met with all safety regulations and now after many accidents you are going to redo this street at a cost of many thousands of pounds?
Safety assessments of the scheme including the 50mm upstand kerb have concluded that it is fully compliant with safety regulations as you have stated. However, the Council recognises that some members of the public continue to experience difficulties in navigating the kerb and we are aware of a number of trips and falls in relation to this busy area of the town centre. The Council are developing plans to enhance Widemarsh Street as part of the Hereford City Centre Improvements, however, in the mean-time our contractors were asked to paint a white line along the kerb to replace the black line which had previously worn away.
However, why a white line when the most seen colour in daylight light is yellow and the most seen colour at night is green, hence hi-vis colours are a lime green, now orange?
White paint was used for the line as this was deemed the most visible (and accessible) in comparison to the palette of materials.
Under freedom of information can you tell me how many accidents have been caused from this kerb edge?
The Council is only able to provide information with regard to the number of reported accidents, it does not hold information on the number of accidents caused by the kerb edge that were not reported.
113 incidents on Widemarsh Street have been reported to Herefordshire Council relating to trips or falls. This is the period from September 2013 through to September 2022.
Please note that the contract was taken over from Amey in 2013 by Balfour Beatty Living Places, and information prior to this is not held.
Documents
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