I think most readers know that from 2003 until September 2008 I was a proud member of the workers down at the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo (BAMZ). It was a great job, one of the best I can imagine, with every day being something new, from washed up humpback carcases to injured wildlife needing rehabilitation to training seals and interacting with tourists. It was great, and the staff down there are truly dedicated to their jobs and do a great service to the people of Bermuda. I also lived at Town Hill, just round the corner, and for a big chunk of my formative years I lived near to Flatts, on Bridle Hill, just up past Whitney.
I say all that to say that Flatts is a very special place for me. I would have to say that its my favourite place on the island, although Tom Moores Jungle and Ferry Reach, as well as the Crawl Railway Trail are all distinct rivals for that position.
So I was just skimming through the Bermuda Sun just now, and came across the article about the dangers of Flatts when it comes to traffic. I have to say I certainly agree with many of the sentiments there. I’m largely a pedestrian myself, a big supporter of public transport and walking, especially with the size of our island (unless you want to go West, but as an East ender, why would anyone want to do that?).
Working at BAMZ we dealt regularly with traffic accidents in the area. I won’t say they were daily, but they were certainly regular, perhaps weekly, although it wasn’t necessary to call emergency services all the time. Our regular Health and Safety Committee meetings were always full of the reports of such incidents read from the accident report log, and we had many suggestions for correcting these problems. I understand numerous communiques have been sent over the years to the relevant government departments due to pressure from our workers who had to deal with the consequences of these incidents far too often.
Nothing ever seemed to come of it all, and yeah, eventually people lapse into a fatalistic apathy and cynicism about the powers that be and the fiefdoms that seem rife within the bureaucracy we love.
I cannot recall all the specific suggestions at the moment, but I distinctly recall requests for better lighting for the pedestrian crossing at BAMZ, speed cameras or some form of speed reducing surface (small speed bumps, rough asphalt), and even a plan for traffic regulation policies during the morning and afternoon rush.
I’ll see if I can remember any other policies, but I thought I’ld open up the floor for any other suggestions. Anyone?
I live not far from Flatts and there’s always a collision somewhere between Flatts and Shelley Bay Beach. Often they happen at the junction of North Shore and Middle, usually caused by somebody being careless.
The way Flatts is designed, it’s definitely not a speedway. Not much room for sidewalks or parking for that matter. The repaving done there recently may have further encouraged drivers to go faster there, which is unfortunate to say the least. The ripple bump idea proposed in the newspaper seems worthy.
I’m not sure of the effect of ‘pedestrian lights’ at the crossing opposite the Aquarium. The crossing is supposed to give pedestrians the right of way in the first place. With the bus stop being in the same area it adds extra complexity of course; maybe the bus stop can be moved a little further away if possible. I think raising the crossing may be a better move – cars and bikes will have to slow down or risk damage – then maybe they’ll stop to let people cross the road. I’m sorry I never saw Mr. Colesworthy’s petition.
Signs would be a good idea for Flatts – can we have a in-village limit of say, 25kph? But they have to be prominent. I don’t think the “Slow Down, Look Around” ones have been effective in the slightest.
The junction of North Shore and Middle Road needs to be re-evaluated as well. Should a roundabout be in place instead? Traffic lights would likely be out of place. Too many accidents happening from people pulling out too early or the like. Traffic headed west from North Shore isn’t consistent enough with using their indicators (right for turning, left for going straight ahead).
Still waiting (and waiting and waiting) for the Road Satefy Council/Police/Government to truly “send a clear message to the public that we are serious about traffic and road safety”, as quoted by David Minors.
Either speed bumps or cops. Only solutions that will work. Though, given the way I tend to see people ride their bikes through Flatts, they might just act as jump ramps and cause more problems.
As (unsurprisingly I guess) I happen to live in Flatts, and look out over the road, I can honestly say it never ceases to amaze me how some people drive through there. I guess cause it’s slightly downhill (coming from town) and fairly straight, but people absolutely rip though, and given there are no sidewalks in parts, always going to have accidents.
How hard is it to put in a series of speed bumps?!
The junction of Middle Road and North Shore, is one of those places where I can almost guarantee that you will have your heart in your mouth by the time you get to the Aquarium; that is – if you make it!
There are sloppy and bad drivers wherever you go in the world, and maybe I am being unfair, but it seems somehow that Bermuda has more per capita than anywhere else I have ever driven. I can’t understand why people signal to go up Middle Road from North Shore where they are not required to, but don’t signal to continue along North Shore, which they are required to.
I have escaped an accident so far – (Perhaps I shouldn’t be writing these words?) – but on many occasion am left wondering ‘how’.
Sadly, no laws, no police in attendance will change that, only drivers paying attention to what they are doing will. That said, I do like the idea of a roundabout and that shouldn’t be too difficult to create.
Some good and valid points made here. It all boils down to “consideration”.
At certain times of the day, traffic is heavy through Flatts. It always has been and will in the future. The present state of the thoroughfare has been the same since it’s first inception and buldings either side have not moved nor will be. It’s all about safe driving/riding and courtesey which is lacking not only in Bermuda but everywhere else.
The southern side of North Shore road through Flatts is the safest route for pedestrians. The Northern side is quite unsafe as vehicles tend to “hug” the side of the road due too it’s narrowness. This is the same as travelling east into Hamilton just prior too the Paget traffic light as it gets blind travelling east once you past the Paget Post Office ( I did recently see that they cut back the folliage to give a better view of the traffic in front).
Martin brings up a good point about the roundabout. Personally this would only create a backlog on North Shore road through Flatts as they would have to give way to traffic comming down Middle Road and Harrington Sound road. If traffic is heavier through the Villiage then it would back up even more but thats all part of daily travel.
As for the Aquarium thats just the way it is. Rules of the road, give way to pedestrians on the crosswalks and be thankfull you made it home.
Too much hurry and not enough worry.
I think that you may be right in that having a roundabout could very well lead to serious backlog along North Shore particularly in the evenings because of Middle Road traffic flow.
Regarding indicators when approaching the junction, I think it’s just encouraged for drivers to use them so as to allow traffic from Middle Road to enter North Shore, and it makes some sense for that particular situation. However, only some people do indicate, and therefore traffic flow isn’t improved at all. There is a small sign that says “Signal Right Turn”, but I don’t think it’s official signage that dictates a mandatory compliance.
Stretching the sidewalks would be a great move, however in Flatts itself the buildings are directly next to the roadway and it would be near impossible to do anything there at this time.
Sidewalks and a single lane to provide one-way traffic through Flatts? Probably a non-starter for various reasons. Besides that’s no guarantee that traffic will travel more cautiously.
Yesterday they erected a couple of new signs indicating maximum width of vehicles that can pass through the area. They’re fairly high up, so people should see them well before they reach Flatts proper(that is of course if they tend to notice signs in the first place).
The “Signal Right turn” mini-sign that I mentioned in the previous post has been moved to just below the new minimum width sign, but again there’s nothing mandatory about the instruction and does nothing to encourage traffic flow and keep the junction safe.
Any other thoughts, peoples?