for those that know it!
after a very close call with an artic on my way to work the other day i have decided to try and lobby for improvements to the junction where the road from armadale towards falkirk splits to linlithgow. coming from linlithgow on thursday i had an artic pull out on me from the right. as a trucker, i know it is bloody hard to see anything coming from the direction that i was travelling from so although he would have been liable, it wasnt his fault in reality. it is down to poor road planning. i have also had cars pull out on me as i have travelled up towards linlithgow and although i have priority, i always indicate right to confirm that i am not turning off towards falkirk.
i have considered 4 options
change the priorities
make it one way down the hill with the opposite flow of traffic turning left just after the bridge at the bottom of the hill which brings them onto the road that leads to linlithgow which has better vision both ways
Would be better if they changed the priorities to this junction as you dont get many cars turning off up towards linlithgow the amount of times i have used the gorge,
make the main road run right down onto the hill and junction going towards linlithgow or do away with the stupid bit of grass at he junction.t
Don’t think the traffic light idea would be a good idea, have you ever tried pulling away from a stopped position half way up? You end up taking half your tyre tread off, thats if you don’t stall or burn the clutch, would not like to try this in an auto.
welshboyinspain:
am i being really thick here but i thought linlithgow was in scotland and the avon gorge was the A4 going into bristol under the suspension bridge?
Quite right welshboy! The Avon Gorge is down Cheddar way.Used to deliver there weekly,Cheddar Cheese Straws. Took flour there.
welshboyinspain:
the cheddar gorge is in cheddar i thought the avon gorge was in bristol because the avon river runs up from avonmouth docks to bristol docks
There are lots of Avon rivers in this country .We have a Loch Avon in the Cairngorms that drains into the river A,an then into the Spey further south is Scannies river and gorge between Stirling and Edinburgh. I believe there is a River Dee in Wales as well as ours at Aberdeen shire.
This is the junction,but it doesn’t give any idea of how steep the road is at the give-way.Best thing would be to change priorities.
When coming up to the junction,I wait for a suitable gap in the traffic, pull over to the right then angle the unit so I can see to the left.Still have to lean right forward,but at least not pulling out totally blind
i know the junction well and its steep, trying to keep it on the bite and getting out safely is murder, i just drive out block oncoming traffic so i can get a view with the wide angle. just for members who don’t know it - its steep as in mountain steep and its blind as in david blunkett blind
mini painted roundabout would work as it would force traffic coming from linlithgow to stop.
alamcculloch:
There are lots of Avon rivers in this country .We have a Loch Avon in the Cairngorms that drains into the river A,an then into the Spey further south is Scannies river and gorge between Stirling and Edinburgh. I believe there is a River Dee in Wales as well as ours at Aberdeen shire.
there are lots of avon rivers because avon means river in olden languages. in welsh river is afon and in ye olde english avon is river.
not sure about river dee being in wales as they are plastic scousers up there
It’s also a pain in the arse trying to get up it when you’re fully loaded to 44t. You can’t get a good run at it as you have to go over the bridge then turn right before you can boot it. I usually go up the hill and swing way over to the right then back to the left so I can get a good view. Volvo ishift/reno opti has no issues pulling away in 1st from a standing start
welshboyinspain:
am i being really thick here but i thought linlithgow was in scotland and the avon gorge was the A4 going into bristol under the suspension bridge?
agree with you completley scanny77,i use this route as a cut through on a regular basis,and because i have no rear window behind the passanger seat(like in a volvo),(daf please make this a standard fitment),i have often come up that hill,and your view for the traffic approaching from the left is nil.i think they need to make the traffic coming from the left stop at a give way,and give the traffic coming up the hill priority.its a "pot luck "junction the way it is at the moment.
This is the junction,but it doesn’t give any idea of how steep the road is at the give-way.Best thing would be to change priorities.
When coming up to the junction,I wait for a suitable gap in the traffic, pull over to the right then angle the unit so I can see to the left.Still have to lean right forward,but at least not pulling out totally blind
you cant do that highlander,as the give way is at the brink of a hill,and if you go to the right,you are directly facing oncoming traffic which will probably drive straight into,due to not seeing you till they get over the next hill you are facing.i reckon the speeds people approach that junction(im sure its national speed limit),even if they hit the brakes straight away,they will hit you.its a high risk to take,cos if that was to happen,you know who will be blamed.the junction priority,like you say,does need changing.
