While searching for a source of postcards of my parent's village (Every shop used to sell them when I was younger, now I want the bl**dy things no-one has them!) I came across the following passage on the interweb describing Buckden's history as a stopping point to-and-from London.
"At the beginning of the 20th Century the Great North Road ran through the village of Buckden. To deter motorists from speeding, the Huntingdonshire Constabulary stationed policemen in the main street to time motorists over a measured stretch of road. Anyone travelling faster than 20 miles per hour was charged with 'driving to the common danger'. In 1906, 168 drivers were convicted of this offence and fined more than £1200 between them. The area became known as the 'Buckden Speed Trap'!"
A few years ago, the A1 had it's speed lowered to 50mph outside the village to make it easier and safer for residents to join it, and to lower the frequency of accidents at the roundabout. What goes around... ;-)
Jon is Away! said the following on 18/05/2006 13:58:
Quoted message said:
A few years ago, the A1 had it's speed lowered to 50mph outside the village to make it easier and safer for residents to join it, and to lower the frequency of accidents at the roundabout. What goes around... ;-)
And how often do you still hear the infamous Buckden Roundabout mentioned on traffic reports? Every time I hear of an accident there, I think "Uh-oh. Has my Gran been driving again?"
January 31st 1816 Jonathan Pawsey a servant of Mr Thomas Jones of Sudbury was convicted the full penalty of 10s for driving his master's waggon furiously on the King's highway at Lavenham.
And how often do you still hear the infamous Buckden Roundabout mentioned on traffic reports? Every time I hear of an accident there, I think "Uh-oh. Has my Gran been driving again?"
Buckden roundabout has the problem of being the first roundabout after the A1(M) near Peterborough (When heading south!). This means that the vehicles which have become accustomed to the high speed road to that point fail to notice the speed limit signs, roundabout warnings, rumble strips etc. and drive straight over the centre!
I think the A14 has overtaken Buckden for frequency of accidents though.
January 31st 1816 Jonathan Pawsey a servant of Mr Thomas Jones of Sudbury was convicted the full penalty of 10s for driving his master's waggon furiously on the King's highway at Lavenham.
Pah, that could have been only yesterday.
Sometime around 840BC: "The driving is like that of Jehu son of Nimshi - he drives like a madman". (2 Kings 9 v 20)
And how often do you still hear the infamous Buckden Roundabout mentioned on traffic reports? Every time I hear of an accident there, I think "Uh-oh. Has my Gran been driving again?"
Buckden roundabout has the problem of being the first roundabout after the A1(M) near Peterborough (When heading south!). This means that the vehicles which have become accustomed to the high speed road to that point fail to notice the speed limit signs, roundabout warnings, rumble strips etc. and drive straight over the centre!
I think the A14 has overtaken Buckden for frequency of accidents though.
The Catthorpe interchange at the M1/M6 ending of the A14 seems to be one of the most frequently mentioned crash (sic) sites mentioned in travel bulletins, and the rest of it is a nightmare, of which there should be high quality alternative provision for low speed road users. -- Ambrose
The Catthorpe interchange at the M1/M6 ending of the A14 seems to be one of the most frequently mentioned crash (sic) sites mentioned in travel bulletins, and the rest of it is a nightmare, of which there should be high quality alternative provision for low speed road users.
ITYM "low quality alternative provision for idiots who can't properly control their vehicles." ;-)
"At the beginning of the 20th Century the Great North Road ran through the village of Buckden. To deter motorists from speeding, the Huntingdonshire Constabulary stationed policemen in the main street to time motorists over a measured stretch of road. Anyone travelling faster than 20 miles per hour was charged with 'driving to the common danger'. In 1906, 168 drivers were convicted of this offence and fined more than £1200 between them. The area became known as the 'Buckden Speed Trap'!"
About £7 each. In today's money, that's at least £500. Well, they do say the costs of motoring have gone down.
Colin McKenzie
-- On average in Britain, you're more likely to get a head injury walking a mile than cycling it. So why aren't we all exhorted to wear walking helmets?
The Catthorpe interchange at the M1/M6 ending of the A14 seems to be one of the most frequently mentioned crash (sic) sites mentioned in travel bulletins, and the rest of it is a nightmare, of which there should be high quality alternative provision for low speed road users.
ITYM "low quality alternative provision for idiots who can't properly control their vehicles." ;-)
That's ridiculous. The A14 is hopelessly overengineered and underprettified for bikes.
Long distance bike only tracks should be disused single track railways. They're absolutely great, from experiences in Germany. -- Ambrose
