Safety barriers near Chilham

Safety barriers near Chilham

Safety barriers near Chilham on the busy A28.   This footway is also used (Shared space) by cyclists in the interests of their safety.

The question is:-   Was the crash-barrier put in to protect vehicles; i.e.: prevent M/Vs from going down a bank and crashing into houses, or was it put in place to protect pedestrians?  The answer could be; 'probably', but not with the well-being pedestrians as the prime concern.  Thankfully that has been the net result, i.e.: 'a spin-off'.

Here (looking in the opposite direction) one can see that the barrier protects houses as well, which is not a bad thing.

                                             In the terms of Crash Barriers, putting pedestrians first is unusual.

Pedestrian protection

Pedestrian protection within a factory complex

even more for the disabled.

With a strict 10 mph speed limit imposed.

Getting it right.

Getting as right as possible.

Crash barriers should offer some protection to both the motorist and the Pedestrian where possible. 
Only the cyclist is not fully catered for in this instance.

Barriers in Germany

More crash-barriers in Germany; July 2014.

Crash-barrier on the corner of a road junction, as it should be, designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

A correct instalation on, the A28.

Sometimes (but not often) they get it right as in this case alongside a footway, which in turn is alongside the A20 between Ashford and Charing.     

The state of the footway leaves a lot to be desired.

Barriers that do the job

This set of barriers seems to do the job

At a cross-roads in Charing, On this side of the A20 (which passes through the village), and at the mouth of the road to Pluckley.  There are similar crash-barriers on each corner, which are actually placed to protect pedestrians ~ must have been a different engineer from their normal; fellow.    Why at one place and not at so many others?

Getting it right

Getting it right.

A different vantage point clearly illustrates that Highways can get it right, even if they didn't mean to at the time.  This section of barrier on the A2070, offers protection to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.   Whilst most of the rest of the barriers don't protect the most vulnerable in our society. 
   

Safety Barrier in France.

Protecting cyclists with a barrier in not a new idea:-

This picture shows a continuous barrier which is designed to protect cyclists and pedestrians, and why not?

Photograph taken in Carnot-Plage, southern France. in 1998.