CONCERNS have been raised over a section of road in Northwich dubbed a ‘racetrack’ which has no crash barrier, despite a steep drop off up to 40 feet into a river valley below.
Where New Warrington Road crosses Wade Brook via a bridge on the approach to Northwich town centre, there is a proper crash barrier.
However, on the section approaching the bridge from the northeast, the only thing stopping drivers from careering down into the valley in the event of a mishap is a green wire mesh fence less then two feet high.
One resident, who lives nearby in Wincham, has questioned the safety of this section of road with Cheshire West and Chester Council's (CWAC) highways department.
She said she has requested the crash barrier be extended out from the bridge to protect drivers from the drop on two occasions, but no action has been taken.
While the speed limit is 40mph, she says it is naïve to operate on the basis all drivers are going to stick to this at all times.
The resident, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s frightening to think what could happen.
"More and more people are walking up there now, including families taking children to school.
“It’s supposed to be 40mph, but the speed someone people go along that road – it’s just a racetrack.
“And it’s getting busier and busier.”
CWAC’s highways team says the speed limit, plus the fact there is no bend in this section of road, means it does not qualify for a fully-fledged crash barrier.
Its spokesman said: “We can confirm New Warrington Road has a 40mph speed limit and has crash barriers on either side of the bridge over Wade Brook, where required.
“The area covered by the mesh fence is on a straight part of the road with a 40mph limit and therefore does not require the installation of crash barrier along this section.”
The concerned resident added: “There’s going to be a major disaster, I can see it coming.”
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