Safety comes first, as 20 mph zone agreed for Newbury's Queens Road
Following requests from local residents, West Berkshire Council is making streets in the Queens Road area of Newbury a 20 mph zone.
The move follows the successful introduction of such zones elsewhere in the district including areas in Pangbourne, Theale, Thatcham and Westfields in Newbury. The new zone will include Queens Road and the residential streets that run off it, extending to Boundary Road.
The call for a 20 mph speed limit came from the Greenham Neighbourhood Action Group, as well as individual residents. Queens Road and adjacent streets are narrow with on-street parking, and some lengths of the roads do not have pavements. Also, some drivers tend to use Queens Road as a through route from the A339 to the A4, and the new speed restriction should help curb that. The existing speed cushions in Queens Road will help enforce the new limit.
West Berkshire Executive Councillor, David Betts, said: "Queens Road does not have a particular history of accidents and we want to keep it that way. It is a compact, residential town-centre area that lends itself perfectly to a 20 mph zone and we're pleased to be able to meet the wishes of residents by introducing the restriction."
Following installation of new signage and road markings, the new 20 mph zone should come into effect around the end of October.
The results of a 20mph speed limit study in Portsmouth have just been released. Apparently there was a 22% drop in casualties and a reduction in speed, especially on routes that had become rat runs. There were no speed bumps, chicanes or cameras, just 20mph signs. So although all people may not do 20mph, they will reduce their speed from what it is now. I'm going to did the link out later, but it was in the evening standard last night. I think it backs up what Keith Woodhams and I have both been saying about speeding in Pound Lane and surrounding streets in Thatcham, but for whatever reason the Tories refuse to implement any kind of speed restriction or traffic calming.
All over the country 20mph zones have been introduced, with the aim of reducing speeds on minor roads in residential areas. In some towns in the midlands, you have whole towns that are 20mph on smaller residential streets.
Honestly !!!!! Can't think I have ever managed to get above 10 mph what with stopping and starting with cars parked and others coming round - speed humps - oh yes but there are those people who come out of their gates straight into the road without looking maybe it is they who have asked for this so that they can carry on doing this.
These are the figures from the Portsmouth before and after survey. I don't think every road should be 20mph, but definitely the smaller residential streets.
The police don't enforce 20mph zones. When they're consulted on such speed limits they only agree to 'support them' on the basis that they are 'self-enforcing' (ie through speed humps, chicanes etc)
I think it backs up what Keith Woodhams and I have both been saying about speeding in Pound Lane and surrounding streets in Thatcham, but for whatever reason the Tories refuse to implement any kind of speed restriction or traffic calming.
How many more roads do you and Keith Woodhams WANT with speed humps in Thatcham FGS? Thatcham town centre - 20mph with traffic calming (humps) Station Road - 20mph with traffic calming (humps) Stoney Lane/Hartmead Road (Kennet School) - 20mph with traffic calming (humps) Northfield Road - traffic calming (humps) Henwick Lane/Gordon Road - traffic calming (humps) Park Lane/Park Ave - traffic calming (humps) Foxglove Way (ALL roads within Dunstan Park estate) - traffic calming (humps) Harts Hill Road/Bradley Moore Square) - traffic calming (chicanes) Falmouth Way - traffic calming (chicanes) Church Gate/Lower Way/Green Lane - traffic calming (humps AND chicanes) Pound Lane - traffic calming (chicane) Urquhart Road (All roads within the Kennet Heath estate) - traffic calming (humps)
There aren't many roads left in Thatcham that haven't already had some sort of traffic calming. Most drivers respect their cars even if they don't agree with a speed 'limit' and so tend to drive along roads with humps well within the 20mph limit. Introducing a formal 20 limit only means more traffic signs (you have previously posted about wanting to see signs removed). It will not result in any change in the already low speeds. The boy racers who ignore the humps will continue to ignore the signs.
The issue with Queen's Road is surely that the imposition of a 20mph zone will have no effect - as Queen's Road is already humped and constricted to the extent that traffic is already running at 20mph or lower. Thus the new zone is merely a way to spend scarse resources to no effect - at a time when we are being asked to report unnecessary street signage.
Of course this argument applies only to Queen's Road - the other streets covered in the new zone are not humped.
Is Boundary Road to be in the new zone? If not then why not?
I'd like to see minor roads in residential areas with 20mph restrictions. I'd like to see it as the standard across West Berks and other Cities and Councils are introducing it too.
Let me pull you up on your reply though: Excessive signs removed? YES PLEASE. Speed limit signs can hardly be described as excessive signage!!! With regards to Pound Lane, the half chicane has NO impact into speeding on Pound Lane, even at the point of the half chicane!!! My point on the half chicane is that it should become a full chicane as this would mean traffic would have to slow down to negotiate it.
The story in Portsmouth is that a 20mph limit across the city reduced accidents, injuries and speeding. Not my study, so don't shoot the messenger!!! There were no speed bumps or chicanes there, just speed limit signs. I WOULD happily support speed humps on Pound lane though, anything that stops cars hurtling up and down at speeds of up to 50 / 60mph. Someone is going to be killed or seriously hurt if something isn't done soon.
I live in a road where there are chicanes, and quite frankly they are a waste of time. They are a starting and a finishing point for boy racers to put their foot down. Lets face it, we all accelerate once we are past the "calming measure".
I have campaigned to get speed humps installed in my street, to no avail. The police have been here with their mobile cameras, and have not caught enough motorists to warrant these measures. But it stands to reason that if there are 6 officers all in hi-vis jackets, on a straight road, you will spot them a mile off ! I mentioned this to the officers on site at the time, but they said if they weren't visible they would breach some human rights law !
What galls me most is that politicians use road safety to point score with the public, when infact they are not remotely interested in the residents, unless of course they live in the same street.
I would like to stress, this is in no way an assult on Richard, as my particular problem does not involve his party at all. He is of course welcome to jump on my bandwagon but I want results that our children deserve, not a political agenda.
it will have its uses...in court,maybe....some "incidents" are unbelievable,and the only way they could have happened,is by drivers ignoring these signs!!.....as in the "sainsbury roundabout cases[2 overturned vehicles....well it is a 40 zone].....maybe time to reduce that to 30??
The results of a 20mph speed limit study in Portsmouth have just been released. Apparently there was a 22% drop in casualties and a reduction in speed, especially on routes that had become rat runs. .
Really? "... analysis of the first citywide scheme in Portsmouth has shown the number of people killed or seriously injured actually increased after the speed limit was reduced from 30mph.While the 20mph limit has been widely implemented in specific streets, for example near primary schools, the case for reducing the limit in all residential streets appears to have been badly damaged by the Department for Transport report.
Analysis by consultants Atkins, on behalf of the Department for Transport, found the average number of people killed or seriously injured annually in Portsmouth rose from 18.7 to 19.9 after the scheme was launched in 2007....."
I don't understand how anyone can attribute lower speeds to more deaths!!! The problem I have with the Daily Mail is they scream "LOWER SPEEDS LEAD TO INCREASE IN DEATHS" yet don't actually justify their reasoning.
Paula, what road do you live on? As I said above, I fully support 20mph limits being introduced on all small residential roads. When I grew up, 20mph limits were the norm back home. Although most people observed them, you still get the few who don't, mainly the boy (and girl) racers. How do you deal with people who think it is "cool" to cruise around in cars?!? I just can't see what benefit they get out of it!!!
In my ward, the only roads I would exempt from 20mph are the A4 and Lower Way which would be kept at 30mph.
The problem I have with the Daily Mail is they scream "LOWER SPEEDS LEAD TO INCREASE IN DEATHS" yet don't actually justify their reasoning.
We all have problems with the Daily Hate*, but to say they dont justify their reasoning on this point is untrue.
"Analysis by consultants Atkins, on behalf of the Department for Transport, found the average number of people killed or seriously injured annually in Portsmouth rose from 18.7 to 19.9 after the scheme was launched in 2007....."
Got that?
AFTER the scheme was introduced in 2007 the number of people either killed or seriously injured WENT UP.
Have a pop at Atkins Consulting if you have figures to disprove theirs by all means, but in this case, don't shoot the messenger.
Threep.
*It could be likened to a squaild, vile, racist pile of doggie-doo. (by some)
We all have problems with the Daily Hate, but to say they dont justify their reasoning on this point is untrue.
"Analysis by consultants Atkins, on behalf of the Department for Transport, found the average number of people killed or seriously injured annually in Portsmouth rose from 18.7 to 19.9 after the scheme was launched in 2007....."
Got that?
AFTER the scheme was introduced in 2007 the number of people either killed or seriously injured WENT UP.
Have a pop at Atkins Consulting if you have figures to disprove theirs by all means, but in this case, don't shoot the messenger.
Threep.
Threep, you are quite right that the Daily Mail says:
"Analysis by consultants Atkins, on behalf of the Department for Transport, found the average number of people killed or seriously injured annually in Portsmouth rose from 18.7 to 19.9 after the scheme was launched in 2007....."
But how does that justify that the speed limit was to blame??? If it was the case that the speed limit had caused this jump in deaths / serious injuries, I'd like to know why!!! The fact is that the figure has risen, but how can it be attributed to lower speeds???
I'd rather listen to the evidence from the local newspaper in Portsmouth that seems to think it was a success, all the Daily Mail have done is seized on the Death / serious injury figure to try and justify their campaign against slower speed limits!!!
Threep, you are quite right that the Daily Mail says:
"Analysis by consultants Atkins, on behalf of the Department for Transport, found the average number of people killed or seriously injured annually in Portsmouth rose from 18.7 to 19.9 after the scheme was launched in 2007....."
But how does that justify that the speed limit was to blame??? If it was the case that the speed limit had caused this jump in deaths / serious injuries, I'd like to know why!!! The fact is that the figure has risen, but how can it be attributed to lower speeds???
I'd rather listen to the evidence from the local newspaper in Portsmouth that seems to think it was a success, all the Daily Mail have done is seized on the Death / serious injury figure to try and justify their campaign against slower speed limits!!!
Possibly it is down to concentration, 20mph is actually really rather slow, maybe peoples minds and attention wander when going at such a slow speed.
Possibly, but it is pure speculation from a paper that has campaigned against speed restrictions and reductions. If they are going to print hard hitting headlines like that, you would expect them to back it up with hard facts.
Possibly, but it is pure speculation from a paper that has campaigned against speed restrictions and reductions. If they are going to print hard hitting headlines like that, you would expect them to back it up with hard facts.
I agree it is pure speculation but if it had gone down I am sure the 20mph brigade would have thrown the stat around. I personally think 20mph is too slow and does have an impact on driver concentration. Try going from say Tesco at Pinchington Lane to Conifer Crest in Wash Common, these would probably be roads that people would campaign for 20mph as they are heavily used for access to schools, and you will find the journey takes forever and your concentration will wane.
I agree to a point, like I said before I would prioritise access roads and main routes to stay 20mph. In my own ward, those routes would be the A4 and Lower way. Everything else would be 20mph. That is my own personal view, if somebody else has a better solution to cut speeds and accidents I am all ears!!!
The reason I use Pound Lane as an example is that I see a number of accidents when I am there, including this morning when a speeding car locked up it's brakes and almost went under a bin lorry. I bet any money the driver of that car won't come flying down so fast next time. The thing is, this happens on all roads in all towns and villages nationwide. It's the speeding culture that needs to be dealt with, but where do you start???
The thing is, this happens on all roads in all towns and villages nationwide. It's the speeding culture that needs to be dealt with, but where do you start???
I got caught speeding along Monks Lane, I was doing 36 mph in a 30 mph zone. I genuinely THOUGHT I was in a 40 mph zone, and thought I was being a good girl ! Yes, there are signs but I never noticed.
When I learned to drive we were actually taught its 30mph in a town, 40 mph on the outskirts of town, and 50 + anywhere else. I was also taught to get into the highest gear as quickly as possible.
Anyway, I had to go on a speed awareness course, and it was certainly an eye opener ! There are some REALLY gruesome true stories and the instructors advice at the end was to drive around town in no gear higher than 3. I thought this was absurd - but try it (before you mock) because it actually works !
To conclude perhaps boys racers should only be allowed to drive cars with 3 gears
I got caught speeding along Monks Lane, I was doing 36 mph in a 30 mph zone. I genuinely THOUGHT I was in a 40 mph zone, and thought I was being a good girl ! Yes, there are signs but I never noticed.
For along time it was 40, but the removal of the 40 repeaters from the street lamps sometime back, meant it defaulted to 30. I got caught out like that as well, but I wasn't pinched.
For along time it was 40, but the removal of the 40 repeaters from the street lamps sometime back, meant it defaulted to 30. I got caught out like that as well, but I wasn't pinched.
The Speed Awareness Group refer to us as the "nearly speeding group"
For along time it was 40, but the removal of the 40 repeaters from the street lamps sometime back, meant it defaulted to 30. I got caught out like that as well, but I wasn't pinched.
I know a LOT of people caught that way, it is pretty harsh!!!
I know a LOT of people caught that way, it is pretty harsh!!!
I wouldn't call it a built up area so it should be 40 but I am guessing it was reduced to 30 because it is a busy school route i.e. lots of kids on bikes, kids crossing roads etc. It should have signs though and when it was changed it was obviously wrong of those in charge not to have some erected.
I wouldn't call it a built up area so it should be 40 but I am guessing it was reduced to 30 because it is a busy school route i.e. lots of kids on bikes, kids crossing roads etc. It should have signs though and when it was changed it was obviously wrong of those in charge not to have some erected.
I don't know if the change was ever advertised ?? But I suppose it was a fair cop - i won't do it again in a hurry
it wont stop me using queens road as a rat run. its a public road, why shouldn't i use it as and when i please?. i pay my road tax!! as someone else said, you cant go over 20mph anyway!!
I got caught speeding along Monks Lane, I was doing 36 mph in a 30 mph zone. I genuinely THOUGHT I was in a 40 mph zone, and thought I was being a good girl ! Yes, there are signs but I never noticed.
When I learned to drive we were actually taught its 30mph in a town, 40 mph on the outskirts of town, and 50 + anywhere else. I was also taught to get into the highest gear as quickly as possible.
Anyway, I had to go on a speed awareness course, and it was certainly an eye opener ! There are some REALLY gruesome true stories and the instructors advice at the end was to drive around town in no gear higher than 3. I thought this was absurd - but try it (before you mock) because it actually works !
To conclude perhaps boys racers should only be allowed to drive cars with 3 gears
thats true. most modern cars are designed to go 30 in 3rd gear.
thats true. most modern cars are designed to go 30 in 3rd gear.
EXACTLY !!! It is recommended you change gear at 2000rpm diesel and 2500rpm petrol - this is the best way to save petrol and as environmently friendly as the car gets. In most modern cars its easy to get to 30mph, in 3rd without exceeding 2500 rpm. Maybe thats why us ladies get cheaper car insurance and men present Top Gear eh??!!
On the downside speeds below 15mph increase pollution, so they must all be choking in Queens Road.
Correct. I believe I read somewhere (probably on here) that the Greenham Roundabout area has the most polluted air quality in Newbury. A 20mph limit will doubtless help with that. Not.
If the residents of Queens Road are expecting to see a marked change in traffic speed, or volume of traffic using Queens Road, they need to be preparing themselves now for some disappointment......
The only thing that will change will be that there will be new signs. The existing speed humps aren't going to be re-profiled to make them more severe and no additional engineering measures are being considered for the road, so nothing will change the existing driver behaviour...
Such a waste of time.... Another useless piece of work done by the council, only to satisfy a local councillor or a vocal local resident who thinks this will make all the difference............
If the residents of Queens Road are expecting to see a marked change in traffic speed, or volume of traffic using Queens Road, they need to be preparing themselves now for some disappointment......
The only thing that will change will be that there will be new signs. The existing speed humps aren't going to be re-profiled to make them more severe and no additional engineering measures are being considered for the road, so nothing will change the existing driver behaviour...
Such a waste of time.... Another useless piece of work done by the council, only to satisfy a local councillor or a vocal local resident who thinks this will make all the difference............
Logged
Male
Female
