B7047 Chapelton Road, Survey , Hazards, Risks, Mitigations
June 2013
To be read in conjunction with Chapelton Road (B7047) Pictorial Survey
Covers the road from the 30 mph entrance to Meadowfoot Road to the junction with the A78.
Unless otherwise stated, distances are measured to or from the near edge of a junction.
Interval Characterisation
Chapelton Road runs north-south through an agricultural area, from the east side of West Kilbride to its junction with the A78 at the Waterside Restaurant. It’s about 1.5km long (just under1 mile). It
is a single-lane rural road, narrow (generally 5.1m – 6.1m wide). It is sufficiently narrow to require slowing down in places when meeting oncoming vehicles. Along its length there are 14 residences
(including a group of 10 at Chapelton Mains), and about 10 field accesses.
About 50% of its length involves road intervals which are blind to approaching traffic, due mainly to bends, brows and undulations, and contributed to by hedges and roadside vegetation.
Traffic flows between West Kilbride and the south would find this the shortest route for about 25% of the residences – (generally on the east side of the town). Through traffic flows exceed those of
residents i.e. it’s more a through road than a local access road. West Kilbride town centre is sign-posted on the A78 approach from the south. In total, flows are light but steady, with a spike at
“rush-hour” times. Vehicles include cars, vans, trucks and farm vehicles.
Other users include occasional pedestrians, cyclists and ramblers, but not many: it needs to be negotiated with great care, and many avoid it (apart from the last 80 yards or so at the Meadowfoot
Road end, there is no footway or street lighting).
The national speed limit applies, 60mph for cars; the mean speed was measured in May 2013 at 37mph (23 vehicles). The road has a central hazard warning line along its full length (which
continues into Meadowfoot Road).
Photos were taken in May 2013, shortly before edge lines were painted.
Hazards and Risks
These are ranked according to the rationale set out in Support Package SP C3
Accident History
Refer to the Summary Maps, which show individual injury accidents over the last 23 years. The accidents are categorised according to the severity of injuries suffered – slight, serious or fatal.
Accident cluster sites are obvious from this map, and there is a clear correlation between these and identified Hazard Areas.
Survey and Hazard Identification
Traffic Management features in Maroon text have been installed since May 2013
Chapelton Road from West Kilbride to T-Junction with the A78
Road type and
principal
characteristics
Please refer to the attached detail of the Ordnance Survey map; to
the photographs; and to the interval characterisations above.
Single lane rural road, unclassified. There is no footway. It is bendy,
undulating – and it is blind over much of its length.
The north end of the road (from just after the entrance to Hillcrest up
to the bend before Brooklands Farm) was re-aligned a few years
ago. This took the carriageway away from the edge of a steep drop
to The Burn, and eliminated 2 bends. We understand this was a
proactive improvement (not in response to an accident).
The road traverses a hillside which falls east-to-west towards the
sea. For most of its length from the south end of the realigned
section down to the A78, it has a kerbstone on the upslope side of
the road, behind which is drainage stone. On the seaward (downslope) side, there is no kerbstone, and the road-edge runs off into
vegetation.
Road Widths
The road is fairly narrow, from 5.1m to 6.1m wide. The attached OS
map detail shows spot measurements of edge-to-edge width.
Road Usage
This includes


Hazard Area, Contributing Factors,
Margin for Error, Hazard Area
Ranking
For a road signposted as national
speed limit, most of its length is
hazardous. Additionally, there are
intervals which have specific
hazardous features.
++
Hazard Area 1: The junction with the
A78.
This is covered in the hazard
management work for the A78 interval
from Seamill to Glenfoot.
There is a significant accident blackspot on the A78 in the vicinity of this
junction.
as a through-road from West Kilbride to the A78 then
south, and the reverse journey (West Kilbride is signposted on the A78 to the south of the T-junction)
Access for residents, and for farm vehicles
Traffic approaching West Kilbride from the Ardrossan side would
find it the shortest route to about 25% of the residences (generally to
the east side of the town); and the shortest route to the station and
the town centre (around The Cross).
In the terminology of Setting Local Speed Limits, it has evolved into
principally an Upper Tier road (one with a through function) with a
secondary local access function (Lower Tier road). A significant
number or WK residents see it as a hazardous road and avoid using
it; negotiating the T-junction with the A78 contributes to this.
The hazard and risk levels assigned
are Level 8, Very Serious
The status of the junction as Give Way
Chapelton Road from West Kilbride to T-Junction with the A78
Traffic flows are light but steady, with a spike at “rush-hour” times.
Other road users include pedestrians, cyclists and ramblers – but not
in any great numbers, it is not a relaxing road to be on.
Junctions and
Accesses
See above under Interval Characterisation
Accidents
These are shown on the Ordnance Survey map detail.
Speed
Considerations
The national speed limit applies (60 mph for cars down to 40mph for
heavy trucks). The mean speed has been measured at 37mph. 60
mph is not achievable except if driving “racing style” – hard
acceleration and hard braking over short intervals – but there are
significant lateral hazards. In the views of residents, “speeding” meaning cars travelling too fast - is known to occur regularly.
Hazard Area, Contributing Factors,
Margin for Error, Hazard Area
Ranking
is highlighted as a concern. Traffic
Lights were considered as an option.
The recommendation is:
+ to introduce a roundabout; and
rationalise the double entrance to the
Waterside and the Seaview Caravan
Park; and
+ to introduce a step-down speed limit
of 40mph on the A78
++
Hazard Area 2: From junction with
A78 up to highest brow, about halfway
along its length (around latitude 647
000 N)
Refer to photos 2 – 16, 33 - 40
Specific Contributing Factors
Road contours
These are shown along with other features on the attached detail of
the Ordnance Survey map
Roadside
Vegetation
The road is bordered by stock hedges and fences; the verges
sometimes have vegetation which increases the blind
characteristics.
Road Markings
and signs on
Chapelton
Road
A central hazard warning line runs the full length, from Meadowfoot
Road down to the A78 T-junction.
Road edge lines were introduced in May 2013. They run the full
length on the seaward side; and along the re-aligned interval on the
landward side (where there is no kerbstone).
Singly and in combination:
+ the sequence of blind intervals of
road due to bends and brows on the
incline leading to the crest of the hill
+ the presence of pedestrians
including recreational walkers; there
are no footways
+ the presence of cyclists
+ the posted national speed limit
(60mph for cars) compared to a
measured mean speed of 37mph
+ the narrowness of the carriageway
Chapelton Road from West Kilbride to T-Junction with the A78
Other Road Markings from south to
north
Other road markings
from north to south
30mph written on road at 30mph
speed limit sign at entrance to West
Kilbride
At junction with A78, Give
Way triangle painted on
carriageway just before
the junction, and broken
double white lines across
the junction edge.
(Right Carriageway for
traffic entering Chapelton
Road has no white line
across the junction edge)
Road Signs from south to north
At the start of the road there is a
warning sign of 15’ 3” clearance under
bridge 1 mile ahead.
30mph speed limit sign at entrance to
West Kilbride at north end.
35 yards before railway bridge,
warning sign of 15’ 3” clearance under
bridge
Road Signs from north
to south
(50 yards before railway
bridge, warning sign of
15’ 3” clearance under
bridge)
National Speed limit sign
on leaving West Kilbride,
plus Thank you for Driving
Carefully
At junction with A78, two
Give Way signs and a
Keep Left white-on-blue
arrow
Traffic Calming
features
Central Hazard Warning Line
Road Lighting
none
Hazard Area, Contributing Factors,
Margin for Error, Hazard Area
Ranking
in parts – see Ordnance Survey detail
for spot measurements
+ The step reduction in carriageway
width just north of Chapelton Mains,
from 5.9 to 5.1m (see Photo 9)
+ the low visibility of the residential
access to Chapelton Mains
+ the reduced lines of sight for
vehicles emerging from Chapelton
Mains
+ the low visibility of the residential
access to Chapelton Cottages when
approaching from the north
+ the reduced lines of sight for
vehicles emerging from Chapelton
Cottages
Margin for Error: the combination of
these factors means there is either
little or no margin for error.
Hazard Area 2 Ranking: Level 7,
Serious; Hazard Level 8, Very Serious,
is assigned to the residential accesses
at Chapelton Mains and Chapelton
Cottages.
++
Hazard Area 3: From latitude 647 000
N up to the railway bridge just inside
the 30mph speed limit.
Refer to photos 16 - 33
Specific Contributing Factors
Singly and in combination:
Footways
none
+ the sequence of blind intervals of
road due to bends and brows
Chapelton Road from West Kilbride to T-Junction with the A78
Provision for
Cyclists
none
Hazard Area, Contributing Factors,
Margin for Error, Hazard Area
Ranking
+ the presence of pedestrians
including recreational walkers (there
are no footways)
+ the presence of cyclists
+ the posted national speed limit
(60mph for cars) compared to a
measured mean speed of 37mph
+ the narrowness of the carriageway
in parts – see Ordnance Survey detail
for spot measurements
+ the low visibility of residential
access to Hillcrest residence
+ the reduced lines of sight for a
vehicle emerging from Hillcrest
residence
+ the reduced lines of sight for a
vehicle emerging from Broomlands
Farm residence.
Margin for Error: the combination of
these factors means there is either
little or no margin for error.
Hazard Area 3 Ranking: Level 7,
Serious; Hazard Level 8, Very Serious,
is assigned to the residential access at
Hillcrest.
++
Risk Assessment
Hazard Area, Contributing Factors, Margin for Error,
Hazard Area Ranking
Possible Outcomes
Hazard Area
Risk Level
Relative Likelihood
Manageability
Possible Events
Please refer to Pictorial Survey including detail from OS Map
Interval Characterisation
Chapelton Road runs north-south through an agricultural area, from the east side of West Kilbride to its junction with the A78 at the Waterside Restaurant. It’s about 1.5km long (just
under1 mile). It is a single-lane rural road, narrow (generally 5.1m – 6.1m wide). It is sufficiently narrow to require slowing down in places when meeting oncoming vehicles. Along its
length there are 14 residences (including a group of 10 at Chapelton Mains), and about 10 field accesses.
About 50% of its length involves road intervals which are blind to approaching traffic, due mainly to bends, brows and undulations, and contributed to by hedges and roadside vegetation.
Traffic flows between West Kilbride and the south would find this the shortest route for about 25% of the residences – (generally on the east side of the town). Through traffic flows
exceed those of residents i.e. it’s more a through road than a local access road. West Kilbride town centre is sign-posted on the A78 approach from the south. In total, flows are light but
steady, with a spike at “rush-hour” times. Vehicles include cars, vans, trucks and farm vehicles.
Other users include occasional pedestrians, cyclists and ramblers, but not many: it needs to be negotiated with great care, and many avoid it (apart from the last 80 yards or so at the
Meadowfoot Road end, there is no footway or street lighting).
The national speed limit applies, 60mph for cars; the mean speed was measured in May 2013 at 37mph (23 vehicles). The road has a central hazard warning line along its full length
(which continues into Meadowfoot Road).
Photos were taken in May 2013, shortly before edge lines were painted.
General Points
General Points
This is a rural B-road with mainly an Upper Tier function,
which is signposted with the national speed limit and has a
measured mean speed of 38mph. Most of its length is
hazardous; additionally, there are intervals which have
specific hazardous features.
In general, the risk of an accident comes from the road
characteristics including the branch accesses , in conjunction
with driver behaviours, including speed, inattention, error of
judgement.
The following questions run through this risk assessment:
The concensus view of residents is that a significant minority
of vehicles regularly travel at excessive speed on this road.
+ Which interval of the road is suitable for the national
speed limit (60mph for cars, dropping to 40mph for heavy
trucks)?
Compared to Kilruskin Road, the number of injury accidents is
lower; however there have been slight, serious and a fatal car
crash.
+ What will visitors unfamiliar with the hazards make of the
national speed limit sign?
Some local people avoid driving on it, while some drive with
care. It is not a comfortable place to cycle or walk, and these
users are not often seen; a vehicle collision with a child or
cyclist would be very serious.
+ What speed would responsible drivers use as they
approach lateral hazards? And blind stretches?
Chapelton Road residents have limited lines of sight when
Hazard Area
Risk Levels vary
Possible Outcomes and Relative
Likelihoods vary - see each individual
Hazard Area
The
manageability is
generally
reported as High
- and without
heavy
expenditure.
Hazard Area, Contributing Factors, Margin for Error,
Hazard Area Ranking
+ Do road marking s and signage send a consistent
message? And do they allow a sensible margin for error?
Possible Outcomes
Hazard Area
Risk Level
Relative Likelihood
Manageability
Possible Events
joining the road, compounded by speed contributed to by a
60mph speed limit; they see this as a dangerous combination,
unnecessary, and out of balance.
Hazard Area 1: The junction with the A78.
This is covered in the hazard management work for the interval of the A78 from Seamill to
Glenfoot.
There is a significant accident black-spot on the A78 in the vicinity of this junction – see
adjacent detail.
The hazard and risk levels assigned are Level 8, Very Serious
The status of the junction as Give Way is highlighted as a concern. Traffic Lights were
considered as an option. The recommendation is:
+ to introduce a roundabout; and rationalise the double entrance to the Waterside and the
Seaview Caravan Park; and
+ to introduce a step-down speed limit of 40mph on the A78, between Seamill and the
southern side of the Waterside Restaurant.
Hazard Area, Contributing Factors, Margin for Error,
Hazard Area Ranking
Hazard Area
Risk Level
Relative Likelihood
Manageability
Possible Events
Hazard Area 2: From junction with A78 up to highest brow,
about halfway along its length (around latitude 647 000 N)
+ Fast travelling north-bound vehicle encounters vehicle
exiting from Chapelton Mains access
Refer to photos 2 – 16, 33 - 40
+ Fast travelling south-bound overtaking vehicle encounters
vehicle exiting from Chapelton Mains access
Specific Contributing Factors
Possible Outcomes
Possible Outcomes
Any of these events could result in
collision, or swerve and running off the
road. Could involve other road
user(s), including farm vehicle,
pedestrian, cyclist.
Singly and in combination:
+ Fast-travelling south-bound vehicle misjudges the dogleg
bend between Chapelton Mains and Chapelton Cottages
+ the sequence of blind intervals of road due to bends and
brows on the incline leading to the crest of the hill
+ Fast travelling south-bound vehicle encounters vehicle
exiting from Chapelton Cottages access
+ the presence of pedestrians including recreational
walkers; there are no footways
+ Fast travelling south-bound overtaking vehicle encounters
vehicle exiting from Chapelton Cottages access
+ the presence of cyclists
+ Fast travelling north-bound vehicle encounters vehicle
exiting from Chapelton Cottages access
Relative Likelihood
+ Fast travelling north-bound overtaking vehicle encounters
vehicle exiting from Chapelton Cottages access
For the possible events shown, the
relative likelihood is categorised as
Medium to Higher
+ the posted national speed limit (60mph for cars)
compared to a measured mean speed of 37mph
+ the narrowness of the carriageway in parts – see
Ordnance Survey detail for spot measurements
+ The step reduction in carriageway width just north of
Chapelton Mains, from 5.9 to 5.1m (see Photo 9)
+ the low visibility of the residential access to Chapelton
+ North or south-bound driver takes one of the 3 or 4 blind or
partially blind brows / bends north of Chapelton Cottages too
fast to allow for an unexpected road user ahead – which
could be a farm vehicle, pedestrians, a cyclist, or another
resulting in
Near miss, Injury , Death
In view of the
range of
hazards, the
relative
likelihood of
outcomes, the
overall Hazard
Area 2 Risk is
Level 7, Serious:
Risk Level 8-,
Very Serious, is
assigned to the
residential
accesses at
Chapelton
Mains and
Chapelton
Cottages.
Hazard Area, Contributing Factors, Margin for Error,
Hazard Area Ranking
vehicle
+ the reduced lines of sight for vehicles emerging from
Chapelton Mains
+ Fast-travelling north or south-bound driver takes the blind
brow / bend at north end of Hazard Area 2 too fast and loses
control.
+ the reduced lines of sight for vehicles emerging from
Chapelton Cottages
Hazard Area
Risk Level
Relative Likelihood
Manageability
Possible Events
Mains
+ the low visibility of the residential access to Chapelton
Cottages when approaching from the north
Possible Outcomes
The
manageability
is high, and
without heavy
expenditure; see
Hazard
Management
and Mitigation
+ Other road user – cyclist, pedestrian – makes insufficient
allowance for fast-travelling vehicle.
Margin for Error: the combination of these factors means
there is either little or no margin for error.
Hazard Area 2 Ranking: Level 7, Serious; Hazard Level 8,
Very Serious, is assigned to the residential accesses at
Chapelton Mains and Chapelton Cottages.
Hazard Area 3: From latitude 647 000 N up to the railway
bridge just inside the 30mph speed limit.
Refer to photos 16 - 33
Specific Contributing Factors
Singly and in combination:
+ the sequence of blind intervals of road due to bends and
brows
+ the presence of pedestrians including recreational
walkers (there are no footways)
+ the presence of cyclists
+ the posted national speed limit(60mph for cars)
compared to a measured mean speed of 37mph
+ the narrowness of the carriageway in parts – see
Ordnance Survey detail for spot measurements
+ Fast travelling north-bound vehicle encounters vehicle
exiting from Hillcrest access
+ Fast travelling south-bound vehicle encounters vehicle
exiting from Hillcrest access
+ Fast travelling south-bound overtaking vehicle encounters
vehicle exiting from Hillcrest access
+ North or south-bound driver takes one of the 3 or 4 brows /
bends on this interval too fast to allow for unexpected road
user ahead – which could be a farm vehicle, pedestrians, a
cyclist, or another vehicle.
+ Other road user – cyclist, pedestrian – makes insufficient
allowance for fast-travelling vehicle.
Note on access to Broomlands Farm Residence
Although it is similar to the other accesses off Chapelton
Road (in terms of lines of sight and access visibility) the
likelihood of an event is significantly reduced as it sits inside
the 30mph speed limit.
Possible Outcomes
Any of these events could result in
collision, or swerve and running off the
road. Could involve other road
user(s), including farm vehicle,
pedestrian, cyclist.
resulting in
Near miss, Injury , Death
Relative Likelihood
For the possible events shown, the
relative likelihood is categorised as
Medium to Higher
In view of the
range of
hazards, the
relative
likelihood of
outcomes, the
Hazard Area 3
Risk is Level 7,
Serious; Risk
Level 8-, Very
Serious, is
assigned to the
residential
accesses at
Hillcrest
The
manageability
is high, and
without heavy
Hazard Area, Contributing Factors, Margin for Error,
Hazard Area Ranking
+ the low visibility of residential access to Hillcrest
+ the reduced lines of sight for a vehicle emerging from
Hillcrest residence
+ the reduced lines of sight for a vehicle emerging from
Broomlands Farm residence.
Margin for Error: the combination of these factors means
there is either little or no margin for error.
Hazard Area 3 Ranking: Level 7, Serious; Hazard Level 8,
Very Serious, is assigned to the residential access at
Hillcrest.
Possible Outcomes
Hazard Area
Risk Level
Relative Likelihood
Manageability
Possible Events
expenditure; see
Hazard
Management
and Mitigation
Hazard Management and Mitigation
Contributing Factors
Hazard Area
Hazard Ranking
Margin for Error
Risk Level
Singly and in combination:
Controllable Variables /
Road Management Options
Pros / Cons
Hazard Area 1: The junction with the A78.
This is covered in the hazard management work for the interval of the A78 from Seamill to Glenfoot.
There is a significant accident black-spot on the A78 in the vicinity of this junction – see detail below
The hazard and risk levels assigned are Level 8, Very Serious
The status of the junction as Give Way is highlighted as a concern. Traffic Lights were considered as an option. The recommendation is:
+ to introduce a roundabout; and rationalise the double entrance to the Waterside and the Seaview Caravan Park; and
+ to introduce a step-down speed limit of 40mph on the A78, between Seamill and the southern side of the Waterside Restaurant.
Suggested Best-Fit
Contributing Factors
Hazard Area
Hazard Ranking
Margin for Error
Risk Level
Singly and in combination:
Hazard Area 2: From junction with A78 up
to highest brow, about halfway along its
length (around latitude 647 000 N)
Refer to photos 2 – 16, 33 - 40
Margin for Error: the combination of these
factors means there is either little or no
margin for error.
Hazard Area 2 Ranking: Level 7, Serious;
Hazard Level 8, Very Serious, is assigned
to the residential accesses at Chapelton
Mains and Chapelton Cottages.
Hazard Area 2 Risk is Level 7, Serious:
Risk Level 8-, Very Serious, is assigned to
the residential accesses at Chapelton
Mains and Chapelton Cottages.
+ the sequence of blind intervals of
road due to bends and brows on the
incline leading to the crest of the hill
+ the presence of pedestrians
including recreational walkers; there
are no footways
+ the presence of cyclists
+ the posted national speed limit
(60mph for cars) compared to a
measured mean speed of 37mph
+ the narrowness of the carriageway
in parts – see Ordnance Survey
detail for spot measurements
+ The step reduction in carriageway
width just north of Chapelton Mains,
from 5.9 to 5.1m (see Photo 9)
+ the low visibility of the residential
access to Chapelton Mains
+ the reduced lines of sight for
vehicles emerging from Chapelton
Mains
+ the low visibility of the residential
access to Chapelton Cottages when
approaching from the north
+ the reduced lines of sight for
vehicles emerging from Chapelton
Cottages
Controllable Variables /
Road Management Options
Reduce speed limit to 40mph
in step with measured mean
speed of 37mph
Install 1 VAS in each
direction on this road interval
Establish a bell-mouth to give
improved line of sight to left
and right at Chapelton Mains
Introduce No Overtaking
restrictions at the blind
intervals.
Pros / Cons
Suggested Best-Fit
This set of options is
a cost-effective to
address the hazard
features
The following actions
are in line with
Setting Local Speed
Limits and are costconscious:
+ Reduce speed limit
to 40mph in step with
measured mean
speed of 37mph
and
+ Install 1 VAS in
each direction on this
road interval
and
+ Establish a bellmouth to give
improved line of sight
to left and right at
Chapelton Mains
and
+ Introduce No
Overtaking
restrictions at the
blind intervals.
Contributing Factors
Hazard Area
Hazard Ranking
Margin for Error
Risk Level
Singly and in combination:
Hazard Area 3: From latitude 647 000 N
up to the railway bridge just inside the
30mph speed limit.
Refer to photos 16 - 33
Margin for Error: the combination of these
factors means there is either little or no
margin for error.
Hazard Area 3 Ranking: Level 7, Serious;
Hazard Level 8, Very Serious, is assigned
to the residential access at Hillcrest.
Hazard Area 3 Risk is Level 7, Serious;
Risk Level 8-, Very Serious, is assigned to
the residential accesses at Hillcrest
+ the sequence of blind intervals of
road due to bends and brows
+ the presence of pedestrians
including recreational walkers (there
are no footways)
+ the presence of cyclists
+ the posted national speed
limit(60mph for cars) compared to a
measured mean speed of 37mph
Controllable Variables /
Road Management Options
Reduce speed limit to 40mph
in step with measured mean
speed of 37mph
Install 1 VAS in each
direction on this road interval
Introduce No Overtaking
restrictions at the blind
intervals.
Pros / Cons
Suggested Best-Fit
This set of options is
a cost-effective to
address the hazard
features
The following actions
are in line with
Setting Local Speed
Limits and are costconscious:
+ Reduce speed limit
to 40mph in step with
measured mean
speed of 37mph
and
+ the narrowness of the carriageway
in parts – see Ordnance Survey
detail for spot measurements
+ Install 1 VAS in
each direction on this
road interval
+ the low visibility of residential
access to Hillcrest
and
+ the reduced lines of sight for a
vehicle emerging from Hillcrest
residence
+ Introduce No
Overtaking
restrictions at the
blind intervals.
+ the reduced lines of sight for a
vehicle emerging from Broomlands
Farm residence.
.