The Citizen reports today that drivers travelling between Stroud and Gloucester are facing a daily nightmare of traffic jams and long delays. A gas mains replacement between Salmon Springs and Pitchcombe means motorists have been held up by temporary traffic lights along the main A46 route for nearly two weeks - but as Gerri Kimber, Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish Council points out that means Whiteshill becomes a rat run - traffic there is worse than usual...
... but good news is that the 20 mph proposal that so many people have been working towards for some of Ruscombe's roads is now available at Ebley Mill to consider - I plan to take a look later this week - my initial view is that this should only be the start. I have long campaigned for more 20 mph areas - why should we battle for these in residential areas - 20 mph should be automatic and other users should have to justify there case for making it faster - a recent letter to The Citizen prompted a Consultant at an A & E to write offering support to the campaign. A draft of my reply is below - anyone wanting to help on the 20 mph campaign would be most welcomed:
I was very pleased to receive your letter supporting 20 mph zones for residential roads. The evidence in favour of them, as you know, is so overwhelming - I sometimes think it is a pity that Highways officers and politicians aren't encouraged to see more of the shocking 'evidence' that you no doubt see.
We desperately need a shift in policy from Westminister to make it easier for local authorities to support 20 mph - having said that local authorities could do very much more than they do. I am very keen to see if we can shift the way they view 20 mph.
I understand that in Britain we've got some of the safest roads in Europe for car users, but the worst figures for adult and child pedestrian injuries. There could be much gained by developing a wide local coalition of groups and people calling for 20 mph. I will explore this idea further with others: to succeed it is important that we can gain cross party support and involve community groups. Ideas welcomed!
An extension of the idea of 20 mph zones is 'Shared Spaces': an approach developed in Holland that reduces casualties and congestion, makes neighbourhoods more pleasant and increases walking and cycling - and isn't anti-car! We have managed to gain cross-party support for the idea at Stroud District Council and are now looking at sites for a pilot scheme locally. It is frustratingly slow but things are moving forward.
Read more about 'Shared Spaces' at:
http://www.resurgence.org/selection/booth0306.htm
Once again thank you for taking the time to respond. I will be in touch when I know more. In the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me with any thoughts or queries.
Yours Sincerely,
Cllr. Philip Booth, Stroud District Council,
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