In my experience, concern has been growing in Ashtead about speeding motorists. It is clear that we are far from being alone in this regard, as evidenced for example by the increased priority being given to this subject by Surrey Police and the increasing number of local authorities across the country which have introduced 20 mph speed limits.
What could be done?
Speed Humps
Some Ashtead roads already have speed humps and more could be built, if and when funds are available.
They can help but they have several disadvantages:
• they are expensive
• Surrey County Council sets severe criteria for their installation
• some drivers seem to find them more of a challenge than a hindrance
• some residents generally dislike them and believe that they cause damage to vehicles and
• drainage problems can arise.
Community Speed Watch
As a response to widespread and increasing concern, Surrey Police has launched Community Speed Watch in which “active members of the community monitor speeds of vehicles at specific locations using speed detection devices.”To date this has not been adopted locally but recently residents of Farm Lane have expressed interest.
Some residents have expressed concerns about possible threats to their personal safety if participating in the scheme and unless it is used both extensively and over a prolonged period, its efficacy may be questionable.
Reduced Speed Limits
Has the time come to lobby for the introduction of 20mph zones or for a 20mph speed limit on some roads, perhaps especially near schools?
There seems to be increasing concern at central government level. For example, in a circular issued in December 2009 the Department for Transport said:
• We want to encourage highway authorities to introduce, over time, 20 mph zones or limits into streets which are primarily residential in nature and into town or city streets where pedestrian and cyclist movements are high, such as around schools, shops, markets, playgrounds and other areas, where these are not part of any major through route.
• We want to make it clearer that highway authorities have flexibility in the use of 20 mph zones and limits, and should apply the option best suited to the local circumstances and that brings most benefits in terms of casualty reductions and wider community benefits.
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Many thanks,
Paul Le Versha
Chairman ARA
Welcome to the Ashtead Hub- an entry point to what's going on in Ashtead. Please let us have your e-mail address so we can start a conversation.
Living in a road that serves 4 schools now (and was once 5) it seems that people are driving faster and faster and a serious accident is just waiting to happen. We would welcome the introduction of some kind of traffic calming method, a 20 mph speed limit sounds good so long as it was effectively policed. What do we need to do to make it happen?
ReplyDeletePaul, I really agree with your thoughts. The roads in Ashtead are narrow and winding and parked cars often obscure visibility. People just drive far too fast for the conditions, especially on "rat run" roads like Ottways Lane. I'd be in favour of any sensible traffic calming measures - 20mph sounds appropriate given the number of schools in the area, but I wonder if it would be enforced? Do we also need more physical barriers?
ReplyDeletePaul, this is an excellent idea. I think 20 is adequate - especially around the rat run areas. On Skinner's Lane I have often come across speeders on blind bends and it is very dangerous - particularly as this road has no pavements. Are speed awareness calculators effective? There are 2 on the way in and out of Ashtead. If they are cheaper than speed bumps then maybe just making people aware of their speeding is sufficient. The speeding is often compounded by TERRIBLE parking: on Skinner's Lane there is a small stretch of pavement between Gladstone Road and the next junction up which is always impassable (partic with buggies) as cars are parked up on the pavement. Buggy pushers are therefore forced into the road. Parking at or opposite junctions is endemic even though it contravenes the Highway Code and also - more importantly - it creates real hazards.
ReplyDeletePaul, This is something that I have been thinking about and have been meaning to initiate a campaign especially for Bramley Way as it is being used extensively by speeding motorist and lorry drivers since both Woodfield Lane and Craddocks Avenue have speed bumps or other speed restrictions. I moved down from Birmingham three years ago and in the last 18 months have had two Burmese cats runover just outside my house. I feel the road is very dangerous especially for children and our pets.
ReplyDeletePaul....I would definately welcome a 20mph speed limit in Ottways Lane. For many years I walked up to school with the girls feeling like I was taking my life in my hands and it continues to be a tragic accident waiting to happen.
ReplyDeleteKate mentions Bramley Way. We too regularly see drivers speed off out of the slower side roads up Bramley towards Woodfield and vehicles using it as a cut through. The entire area should be a 20mph zone with clear signs at both the start of Bramley Way at its intersection with Epsom Road and the intersection of Woodfield Lane and Meadow Road marking the start of the zone. With schools, children walking to school and playing in the area, drivers are taking great risks by speeding...
ReplyDeleteI think that the 20mph speed limit in and around Ashtead is a great idea and agree with the reasons so far posted. I would add that it might be an equally good idea to have a 30mph limit on the A24 between the Leatherhead Bypass Knoll Roundadbout and Ashtead Village. The current 40mph stretch extends to little more than half a mile giving no meaningful advantage to motorists but does increase the risk for traffic and pedestrians trying to cross the road.
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that a 20mph zone around our schools and playgrounds would help to make our children safer and encourage more parents to let their children walk or cycle to school. So many kids these days are driven to school, because parents perceive the roads to be too dangerous for them to walk or use their bikes. As a result they are slower to develop their independence and self-confidence than the older generation, and miss out on a bit of healthy exercise at the beginning and end of the day.
ReplyDeleteThere is a short stretch of Woodfield Lane between Meadow Road and the Pond where the pavements are very narrow and the road is quite narrow. Small children have to use these paths to get to and from school when the rush hour traffic passes at speed just inches away. The slightest trip or a tumble from a scooter could be fatal. A 20 mph limit is needed here
ReplyDelete