Skip to main content

Green screens cause drivers to slow down

A high risk collision site on the busy A574 in the UK has been made safer thanks to the installation of environmentally friendly Green Screens. The 1.8m high screens have been installed on the approach to the roundabout at the junction of Birchwood Way and Woolston Grange Avenue and mean that approaching vehicles have to slow down when approaching the roundabout. Warrington Borough Council explained that as the roundabout is large, many motorists approaching from the direction of the M6 motorway do so at s
February 15, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
A high risk collision site on the busy A574 in the UK has been made safer thanks to the installation of environmentally friendly Green Screens. The 1.8m high screens have been installed on the approach to the roundabout at the junction of Birchwood Way and Woolston Grange Avenue and mean that approaching vehicles have to slow down when approaching the roundabout.
Warrington Borough Council explained that as the roundabout is large, many motorists approaching from the direction of the M6 motorway do so at speed because they have a good view and can be over-confident about joining traffic on the roundabout. This has resulted in collisions when motorists have misjudged the manoeuvre and there have been many occasions when vehicles on the approach to the roundabout have had to stop suddenly, causing following vehicles to collide.
The Green Screens feature wire fencing covered with ivy and obstruct the view of the roundabout as motorists approach, encouraging drivers to slow down. This technique provides an effective way of reducing collisions. Warrington Borough Council chose Green Screens over traditional wooden fencing or walling because the products offer environmental benefits and require minimal maintenance.
So far 100 Green Screens have been installed on the A574 approach to the roundabout, with another 40 Screens installed on the B5210 Woolston Grange Avenue approach.

Related Content

  • ERF urges greater maintenance of Europe’s road signs to save lives
    March 21, 2016
    ERF has launched a position paper to advocate better maintenance of Europe’s traffic signs. Vertical signage is an essential element not only of a modern and well-maintained road infrastructure, but also of a safe and functional road network. Road signs help regulate traffic, provide crucial visual guidance and give drivers important preview especially during night-time conditions. Well maintained and efficient signage becomes even more necessary when taking into account the ageing population of Europe, in
  • From Bangalore to Dumfries, plastic waste technology is reinforcing our roads
    May 2, 2018
    At last some good news about plastic waste: road authorities around the world are starting to use it in their roads - Kristina Smith reports.
  • Joy riding
    August 15, 2019
    Our Skidmarks page is highly rated by readers. Your input could help make this page even more entertaining. If you come across any amusing road-related stories or pictures email me at [email protected] JOY RIDING A couple in the US recently took advantage of the self-driving features of a Tesla car for reasons other than transportation. They ignored the suggestions from Tesla to remain alert even when the vehicle was using its self-drive mode and instead engaged in sexual acts, which they recorded on vid
  • A serious side to England’s funny funnel bins
    December 14, 2017
    The UK and Australia are trying to reduce litter on motorways and free up maintenance teams to pursue more urgent – and less dangerous - work Giant funnel bins are being installed at a dozen UK motorway service areas in north-west England. The bins, either 1.8m or 2.2m high, are next to Give Way lines at the exit of service area car parks. The bins allow both car and truck drivers to reach the half-metre-wide funnels from their vehicle window. Highways England is hoping that the bins’ ease of use will en