Questions concerning countdown markers on the M8 Junction 15 (A803 Springburn): EIR release

Information requested

You asked: 

“This request relates to the M8 Motorway travelling eastbound on its approach to Junction 15 (A803 Springburn).  I note there are no ‘countdown’ markers (blue signs with diagonal white stripes) at the usual 300 yards, 200 yards and 100 yards in advance of the junction.  Please let me know:

1.   Are such countdown markers mandatory?
2.   If yes, does the signage at this location comply with regulations?
3.   If no to point 1, are such markers optional?
4.   If yes, please let me know why such markers are not present at this road junction”.

 

Response

 

As the information you have requested is ‘environmental information’ for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), we are required to deal with your request under those Regulations.  We are applying the exemption at section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), so that we do not also have to deal with your request under FOISA. 

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’.  Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.  We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption, because there is no public interest in dealing with the same request under two different regimes.  This is essentially a technical point and has no material effect on the outcome of your request.

1. Countdown markers are mandatory at new junctions.

2. The M8 through Glasgow was designed in the 1960s and the design complied with the standards at that time.

3. N/A

4. There is approximately 400 metres between the end of the on ramp at junction 16 and the start of the off ramp at junction 15 and there are no advance warning signs before junction 15 until the gantry approximately 120 metres before the A803 Springburn off ramp.  There is also an off ramp to Glasgow Cross leaving on the right side of the motorway approximately 175 metres before the A803 Springburn off ramp and 55 metres before the aforementioned gantry.  The fact that there is no advance warning sign and the two off ramps are within such close proximity could lead to confusion for drivers if countdown markers were provided and consequently they were not provided at this location.

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