Trying to resurrect the 20 mph zone

Here are the minutes of a meeting I organised today to try and move the 20 mph zone forward - readers of this Blog will have heard it fell recently due to police objections - this is not satisfactory. The whole community wants to improve traffic safety here - we must have a 20 mph.

Meeting re 20 mph zone for Randwick, Ruscombe and Whiteshill 11th December 2006

Present: Philip Booth (District councillor, Over Stroud), Richard Cornwell (Highways), John Rogers (Chair, Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish), John Taylor (Chair, Randwick Parish). Minutes by Philip

Apologies: Katie Griffiths (Highways)

1. Discussed a brief history noting:

- the request for a 20 mph zone dates back over 20 years
- residents and councillors were given to believe that the most recent request for a 20 mph zone was going to happen (see plan above).
- residents have expressed anger at the objections made by police - particularly as we understand that they were made at the very last minute only several days before the consultation period closed.
- we are aware that the latest look at the possibility of a crossing near the school concluded the same as before that it was not possible.
- Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish are at the early stages of considering a 'Shared Spaces' approach for the Main Road and 'Village Green' area (at front of Woodcutters Arms). The Parish have done considerable consultation over how to improve that area and what people would like - these ideas could be fed into a Shared Spaces approach for the area.
- we are aware that the school is looking at possibilities of a Walking Bus scheme (Philip has been in contact with Head teacher and the County) plus possibility of moving the school entrance to allow pick ups in the Village Shop car park. This could be an improvement but concern was also noted that this could lead to even faster speeds on the main road if we are not careful.
- both Parishes have booked to join the interactive speed sign programme with SDC.
- traffic calming/20 mph are a high priority for both Parishes and they were both prepared to consider some funds to assist. Parents at the school have also said they would be prepared to raise money to improve road safety.
- Philip noted he had a letter of support for 20 mph from an A & E Consultant at Gloucester Royal Hospital (*).

2. Proposals:

(i) Local councillors viewed a blanket 20 mph zone across the villages as the most desirable way forward. This would lead to:
- only 5 'gateway points' (ie Bus turning point at top of Randwick's Church road, just before the point where Humphrey's End and Church Road meet, the Maypole, the first build out on The Plain and the entrance to the village at the top of the Main Road). In the scheme that has faced police objections there were more entrances. These Gateways could be improved to indicate entrance to a village area (like Bibury and other villages have done).
- most of the whole area was seen as only possible to travel safely at 20 mph. However it was envisaged that 4 areas in that scheme would possibly need traffic calming. Up to Bread Street from Puckshole and past Ruscombe Farm were two areas possibly needing minor changes to ensure that traffic speeds would keep to a 20 mph as current speeds often get close to 30 mph. Church Road is dangerous and also needs attention. Lastly the Main Road in Whiteshill which is perhaps the most complex of the 4 areas.
- Councillors expressed in the most strongest terms the need to tackle speeds. It is hoped that a 20 mph across the area would help lead to a change in behaviour and how people viewed the area. At present the villages are regularly used as short cuts by people traveling too fast.

(ii) Councillors would prefer to see even the current scheme go ahead than to lose the possibility of at least something being done.

3. Action:

(i) Richard to report to Katie Griffiths and then let us know next step: councillors were all happy to attend further meetings with Police and/or Highways to make this happen.

(ii) Katie Griffiths to arrange separate meeting early in New Year with Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish to discuss Shared Space approach.

(*) See also comments at my Blog on 15th August re advantages of a 20mph