Cattle grid set off automatic brakes

AN old cattle grid set into a steep hill on a Westcountry road has been drastically altered – after it triggered automatic braking systems in some modern cars causing several to leave the road.

The grid was cut into the hill in a step, causing onboard computers on some more modern vehicles to apply advanced braking systems for what appeared to be an obstruction.

In a number of incidents cars had left the road as result, Somerset county council reports, although it said that “thankfully” there were no serious collisions.

Now the Council’s Highways team and contractor Skanska have completely redesigned the grid on Hill Road on North Hill near Minehead, to create a virtually smooth ride across the grid.

The work meant a monthperiod of partial closure as this required extensive work.

“This was a major operation which required a lot of man hours, and more than a little patience from the public, for which we’d like to say thank you,” said Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Cllr John Woodman. “The team were able to capitalise on the fact that Covid restrictions meant fewer tourists and less traffic in general.”