Drivers Baffled by New ‘Bell’ Kerb Causing Collisions on Historic Bridge
Bridgwater, Somerset – Motorists are struggling to navigate a newly installed kerb on a historic bridge in Bridgwater, Somerset, with reports of damage already surfacing. The unusual, bell-shaped installation, intended to improve pedestrian safety, is proving so tough to spot that drivers are colliding with it.
The kerb, located on the A38 Taunton Road bridge, is designed with clearly marked carriageway lines. Though, its unconventional shape and positioning – away from the typical road edge – are causing confusion.A single bollard, painted to blend with the bridge’s historic aesthetic, further complicates visibility.
somerset Council has urged drivers to “take heed of both the warnings and the road conditions in an effort to prevent any further incidents.”
The situation echoes a similar controversy in Salisbury, Wiltshire, were a foot-high kerb installed last October as part of a £3.2million project has become known as the ‘killer kerb’. The Salisbury installation, intended to “create a more welcoming environment for pedestrians,” has already resulted in eight compensation claims in the past ten months – compared to zero in the three years prior - and spawned a dedicated Facebook page documenting the damage. A video of a car hitting the Salisbury kerb has been viewed over one million times on social media.
The ‘killer kerb’ in Salisbury sits around 328 feet from the train station at a mini roundabout. It has become so notorious it is now listed as a tourist attraction on Google Maps.
