Cumbrian councils could help to end satnav route problems
Last updated at 12:01, Saturday, 07 January 2012
Highways bosses in Cumbria could be asked to do their bit to end the problems that satnavs can cause.
The Government announced yesterday that it will be holding a summit aimed at easing problems of traffic being directed down unappropriate roads.
Local Transport Minister Norman Baker says he wants to end to the misery caused when lorry and car drivers follow out-of-date directions on satnavs.
And he is calling on highways authorities, mapping providers and satnav manufacturers to work more closely to ensure everything possible is done to make sure the right vehicles are on the right roads.
Problems have long been reported of vehicles using unsuitable routes, particularly in some parts of Cumbria.
No-one at the county council was available to comment yesterday
But previously, problems have been reported on high-level routes, such as the Kirkstone Pass, of heavy lorries, which are unsuitable for the narrow, steep route, using it because satnavs have pointed them in that direction.
Narrow Redbank Lane in Grasmere has also been another problem spot – where a 45ft articulated lorry once to be freed from there after being sent in that direction.
The Department for Transport yesterday said that, at present, it can take months for map updates to make their way from local councils to satnavs.
The summit will take place about a month before local authorities gain new powers to decide how their roads appear on maps – helping them to direct traffic better.
Mr Baker said: “Out-of-date directions mean misdirected traffic – a scourge of communities. It is vital highway authorities, mapping companies and satnav manufacturers work more closely together. This will help prevent huge lorries from being sent down inappropriate roads and ensure motorists are given the best possible directions.”
First published at 08:56, Saturday, 07 January 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
your supposed to update your sat nav every year as roads change and new ones are built but you have to pay and from my experience if you have to pay people wont do it, but in the days before sat nav you'd buy the new AA road map every year or two wouldn't you? i suppose this is why so many cars leave the road theses days rather than drivers crashing cars, because they weren't driving with due care and attention.
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does having common sense not work here, i updated my satnav last year but only on one occasion did it say something wrong when a roundabout was replaced by a junction
Posted by tony on 10 January 2012 at 18:39