20mph zone refused

Many will have read in previous blogs about the the lack of progress towards a 20 mph zone within Ruscombe and Randwick villages. Click 'Labels' below to see maps and previous discussions. Today I had a meeting with three County Highway Officers and a representative of the police who had refused the zone.

Photo: coming out of meeting today

It is clear that Government regulations, County priorities for spending, costs of enforcement and the lack of any accidents means we will not get a 20 mph under the current regime. Highways will be sending a letter to the Parishes confirming this - hopefully I'll be able to put a copy here.

I understand their position but nevertheless passionately argued that we should have a 20 mph zone in all residential areas (see previous blogs and letter for arguments that I wont repeat in this blog). However it is not them that make the rules. We could make a lot of fuss and noise to push for our 20 mph, but this at the moment would come at the expense of another community. To me we need to consider ensuring the County looks at this issue more broadly and ensures more resources are available - Portsmouth City Council for example has already adopted a citywide 20mph speed limit. I have already drafted a letter to the County calling for a change in policy - more of that in a future blog. We also need to support those like Transport 2000 who are challenging the government with their 20 is plenty campaign.

Clearly just getting a 20 mph zone is not the whole answer as enforcement is also an issue - signs are often not enough to slow traffic - other measures are necessary - also much of the area Highways were planning to put in the 20 mph zone is where cars already travel less than 20 mph - and in many cases that is too fast. There is an absurd rule that means they cannot put a 20 mph in areas where cars regularly speed more than that as it would put extra enforcement requirements onto our already stretched police force. So what is the point you might say! Indeed.

So where does that leave us?

Highways have agreed to look at what options are available to the community to reduce speeding on key stretches - measures for example like narrowing the road to slow traffic. We can then consider these and see if there might be other ways to finance them.

I have also asked that they specifically relook at both The Main road in Whiteshill and Church Lane in Randwick as from what people tell me these are considered the most dangerous areas. I also requested that schools and Parishes have a chance to have their say about these - interestingly the County have a motion before them to ensure that all schools have a 20mph outside them. This would be great and add weight to our campaign.

One other option to explore more is the voluntary 20 mph speed limits - '20 is plenty'. This is being trialed in some areas of Gloucestershire.

We are also still waiting in both Parishes for the mobile flashing speed limit sign - this apparently has been held up due to problems that sound so absurd that I need to check before writing them here!!!!

There are no easy answers here - indeed Highways have looked at these roads on previous occasions and no way forward has been found - a crossing for example cannot legally be built on The Main road and the lack of accidents permits more funds being available. The new Highway Officers are certainly prepared to work with us, and this is very positive but it is clear there are many obstacles to overcome. Ideas and ways forward welcomed.