BS: UK Guerrilla tactics by Highways agency

Subject: BS: UK Guerrilla tactics by Highways agency
From: Mr Red
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 06:01 PM

Last night on the M5 ( Junc 11A ) there was a tail-back to J12 (and you can't see it till it is too late!). No roadworks signs other than the two lanes blocked ones and somehow I failed to see any lit-up electronic ones (we have two new ones un-used yet just on that stretch.) However I noticed that the huge blue sign with blah blah pointing left had a monster yellow sign saying road closed over the "onward" direction list of towns. Not one you would nail for an accident.

Most people thought it was for an accident. and there was one, - no surprise with 2/3;s of the carraigeway contricted, no warnings the day/week before so all your rush hour traffic oblivious of the trouble ahead..

With the evidence, I suspect we had a hit and run case of re-surfacing.
AND with the tarmac creeping up the other side and gathering in a bump just past the junction (a known phenomenon, no known cure, but it only takes three years!) I await the next sporadic bout of cone densation.

Has any one else noticed these attacks?

Subject: RE: BS: UK Guerrilla tactics by Highways agency
From: GUEST,Red rage
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 06:11 PM

Do you mean the; two lanes blocked off by cones stretching for three miles, with no sign of anyone working, and at the very end a single wheelbarrow - syndrome?

Subject: RE: BS: UK Guerrilla tactics by Highways agency
From: Mr Red
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 06:52 PM

No a few working signs and no previous warning. I did what everyone did and used local knowledge - but that was chocka. It had the hallmark of a "hitem before they know wots happening" strategem. AND "they'll think it is an accident" as smokescreen. I detect an innovative approach to roadworks. The bump (all lanes) may stay for another year till it causes a pile-up.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Guerrilla tactics by Highways agency
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 06:56 PM

I'd think cock-up rather than conspiracy. PM John Major got a lot of stick for his "cones hotline" idea. I'm inclined to think it was one of his better ideas. Which isn't saying a lot, mind you.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Guerrilla tactics by Highways agency
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 06:39 AM

And they regularly close slip roads with no prior warning,so you suddenly find your journey is ten miles longer than you expected-A bit
of a bugger when its only a twenty mile drive home from the folk club any way.This is getting onto the M4 Eastbound from Maidenhead- Have to drive West and double back. They've done that twice in the last year.

Subject: RE: BS: UK Guerrilla tactics by Highways agency
From: Gareth
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 01:24 PM

LF - When you get to the toll booths o the M4 you will know you have diverted to far !

Never mind we'll find you a fleece lined sleeping bag for the night.
(Note the lining is on the outside)

Gareth