NC500 (north coast road)
Discussion
cardigankid said:
Generally there are far too many signs, insufficient reliance on common sense, and apologies if it sounded abrupt but I suspect that if the sign had just said 'no caravans beyond this point' it would not have had stickers all over it. Does the north of Scotland need to be decked out in massive road signs like this? Or even ones saying 'Passing Place'? If one can't recognise a passing place without a sign, surely one should have one's licence taken away?
It just gives the Roads Department muppets the idea that they are in control of something and encourages them to do even more.
Unfortunately people don't have common sense. This is the sign. It does not say you cannot use the road in large vehicles but advises against it. If you didn't know the road (and it sounds like you don't), I'd like to think that plenty of people would see "hairpin bends" and "one in 5 gradients" and think that maybe it wasn't the road for them. Alas there will always be idiots for whom that thought process is too difficult. Do ask yourself this though, without that sign how are you to know that the road there is any different from the many single track with passing place roads that litter Scotland? I agree there are too many signs on the roads but some are a good idea.It just gives the Roads Department muppets the idea that they are in control of something and encourages them to do even more.
Edited by cardigankid on Tuesday 20th October 09:27
Also, so you are aware, you have made incorrect assumptions on the functions of roads departments and who is it that make certain decisions, such as on signage.
giveitfish said:
I've watched (in amazement) as a local articulated lorry happily tackled the pass at speed, so an advisory sign makes sense rather than compulsory ban. You can't stop all the idiots no matter what it says but no need to stop everyone else.
I've lived on this road 22 years and have never seen an articulated lorry on the Bealach an Ba. Maybe there are some very short artics I've never seen! This is the second tightest corner. The tightest is much tighter:
I completely agree that you can never stop the idiots - most don't seem to be able to map read these days, but idiots there are, and they need to be at least informed that the hairpins ahead are not suitable for caravans. Last month it took 40 minutes to manage to get two motorhomes to pass each other on this road, and they didn't even have caravans!
Out of interest, how many would relish reversing down this road and round this corner with a 40 ft caravan on the back, with 20 angry drivers hitting their horns - both front and back!
(I drove a car with a Caterham 7 on a trailer on the back for many years and it was a b
d reversing around most corners, let alone this! - all those who use trailers will know why).Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 20th October 14:51
GetCarter said:
I've lived on this road 22 years and have never seen an articulated lorry on the Bealach an Ba. Maybe there are some very short artics I've never seen!
]
Yeh ive seen the beer lorry with a 30ft trailer on the back going down the Belach, took a photo of it but canna find it..]
PS: might have being 10 plus years ago..
Davie Lad said:
GetCarter said:
I've lived on this road 22 years and have never seen an articulated lorry on the Bealach an Ba. Maybe there are some very short artics I've never seen!
]
Yeh ive seen the beer lorry with a 30ft trailer on the back going down the Belach, took a photo of it but canna find it..]
PS: might have being 10 plus years ago..
Impressed the beer lorry did it mind... most just stop here and have a pint or three
Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 20th October 16:49
GetCarter said:
I've lived on this road 22 years and have never seen an articulated lorry on the Bealach an Ba. Maybe there are some very short artics I've never seen!
This is the second tightest corner. The tightest is much tighter:
I completely agree that you can never stop the idiots - most don't seem to be able to map read these days, but idiots there are, and they need to be at least informed that the hairpins ahead are not suitable for caravans. Last month it took 40 minutes to manage to get two motorhomes to pass each other on this road, and they didn't even have caravans!
Out of interest, how many would relish reversing down this road and round this corner with a 40 ft caravan on the back, with 20 angry drivers hitting their horns - both front and back!
(I drove a car with a Caterham 7 on a trailer on the back for many years and it was a bd reversing around most corners, let alone this! - all those who use trailers will know why).
I think I've got a pic, will have a look! I was parked in the last hairpin taking pics and moved sharpish when I saw him coming up!This is the second tightest corner. The tightest is much tighter:
I completely agree that you can never stop the idiots - most don't seem to be able to map read these days, but idiots there are, and they need to be at least informed that the hairpins ahead are not suitable for caravans. Last month it took 40 minutes to manage to get two motorhomes to pass each other on this road, and they didn't even have caravans!
Out of interest, how many would relish reversing down this road and round this corner with a 40 ft caravan on the back, with 20 angry drivers hitting their horns - both front and back!
(I drove a car with a Caterham 7 on a trailer on the back for many years and it was a b
d reversing around most corners, let alone this! - all those who use trailers will know why).Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 20th October 14:51
giveitfish said:
Well I'll be buggered - gotta be a mistake. Check this out >>>> https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highland...Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 21st October 10:23
GetCarter said:
Beer lorry with a trailer is not an artic. BMW5 with a 40 ft. caravan is longer!
Impressed the beer lorry did it mind... most just stop here and have a pint or three
Errrr, Beer lorry with Unit and 30t trailer, is an HGV, class one vehicle...Impressed the beer lorry did it mind... most just stop here and have a pint or three
Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 20th October 16:49
PaulD86 said:
Unfortunately people don't have common sense. This is the sign. It does not say you cannot use the road in large vehicles but advises against it. If you didn't know the road (and it sounds like you don't), I'd like to think that plenty of people would see "hairpin bends" and "one in 5 gradients" and think that maybe it wasn't the road for them. Alas there will always be idiots for whom that thought process is too difficult. Do ask yourself this though, without that sign how are you to know that the road there is any different from the many single track with passing place roads that litter Scotland? I agree there are too many signs on the roads but some are a good idea.
Also, so you are aware, you have made incorrect assumptions on the functions of roads departments and who is it that make certain decisions, such as on signage.
I frequently use single track roads with passing places, there is a subtle art to getting across them quickly, but what I don't need, and I don't think any competent driver needs, are signs telling me there are passing places. As to that Applecross sign, it is a truly ridiculous compendium of useless statements, which is probably why it has been defaced. Nobody believes that an advisory sign applies to them, and nobody treats the advice seriously anyway. It should be very simple - no heavy vehicles. If you live in Applecross your groceries are coming in by Transit van or boat. Man up. My opinion of Roads Departments is not high, and is also that they live in a world divorced from reality. Also, so you are aware, you have made incorrect assumptions on the functions of roads departments and who is it that make certain decisions, such as on signage.
Edited by cardigankid on Wednesday 21st October 18:50
cardigankid said:
I frequently use single track roads with passing places, there is a subtle art to getting across them quickly, but what I don't need, and I don't think any competent driver needs, are signs telling me there are passing places. As to that Applecross sign, it is a truly ridiculous compendium of useless statements, which is probably why it has been defaced. Nobody believes that an advisory sign applies to them, and nobody treats the advice seriously anyway. It should be very simple - no heavy vehicles. If you live in Applecross your groceries are coming in by Transit van or boat. Man up. My opinion of Roads Departments is not high, and is also that they live in a world divorced from reality.
"An subtle are to getting across them quickly" - Hahaha, this is gold! Edited by cardigankid on Wednesday 21st October 18:50
As a previous poster pointed out, the purpose of passing place signs is to make it clear to people that they are not for parking in, and on some roads you see the sign well before the passing place - if you use single track roads you are not familiar with and don't know this then that's what is "truly ridiculous". Yes, people should know not to park in them without a sign, however a competent motorist should also understand why a passing place sign might be useful and apparently some don't.
"A compendium of useless statements" - you really are just trolling now.
"Man up" - what are you on about?
Oh and I was already aware you are ignorant of what roads departments function is, I didn't need you to affirm it.
It is important to assume that one is dealing with persons of reasonable intelligence, something those in charge of the roads do not do.
There is an art to getting across a single track road with passing places, smoothly, quickly and safely. It is not dependent on signs. If you watch people who are familiar with these conditions, they are as quick as on a normal road. If you have the misfortune to be stuck behind some townie on the VI spectrum, it can be frustrating. I'm pleased that you think that is gold, some people are easily amused.
There is an art to getting across a single track road with passing places, smoothly, quickly and safely. It is not dependent on signs. If you watch people who are familiar with these conditions, they are as quick as on a normal road. If you have the misfortune to be stuck behind some townie on the VI spectrum, it can be frustrating. I'm pleased that you think that is gold, some people are easily amused.
'Truly ridiculous' , if you re-read my post, applied to the Applecross sign.
'ROAD TO APPLECROSS' - Really? What's wrong with a normal road sign 'Applecross 7m'?
'BEALACH NA BA' - Do we need this? Do we honestly think there are people down there who only read Gaelic?
'THIS ROAD RISES TO A HEIGHT OF 2053Ft.' - Fascinating I'm sure but so what?
'WITH GRADIENTS OF 1:5 AND HAIRPIN BENDS' - Terrified I'm sure. Have you been on many Swiss Alpine Roads?
And so it goes on....a damn great eyesore serving no purpose whatever.
'ROAD TO APPLECROSS' - Really? What's wrong with a normal road sign 'Applecross 7m'?
'BEALACH NA BA' - Do we need this? Do we honestly think there are people down there who only read Gaelic?
'THIS ROAD RISES TO A HEIGHT OF 2053Ft.' - Fascinating I'm sure but so what?
'WITH GRADIENTS OF 1:5 AND HAIRPIN BENDS' - Terrified I'm sure. Have you been on many Swiss Alpine Roads?
And so it goes on....a damn great eyesore serving no purpose whatever.
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