A message from Nick Timothy MP:
Thank you to all who took part in my road safety survey as it relates to speed limits in our area.
The results are striking. 73% say they see speeding vehicles either ‘far too much’ or ‘often’, while 72% say there is not adequate enforcement in their area.
57% support parish and town councils having more power to tackle road safety problems.
Asked what measures they would like to see taken to address the issue, the most popular options were
- Better signage and road markings (57% giving it the top preference)
- More police enforcement (49% giving it the top preference)
- Speed cameras (automatic enforcement) (46% giving it the top preference)
If you would still like to take part in the survey, please click here.
Best wishes
Nick Timothy MP
- The question: “How often do you see vehicles speeding in your community?”73% said often or far too much.
2. This question: “Do you believe there is adequate enforcement related to speeding in your area?” 72% said there is not adequate speeding enforcement in their area.
3. This question: “Do you think local communities should be able to set speed limits on non-strategic roads via town and parish councils?“: 57% said they supported more power for parish and town councils on this matter.
4. Respondents were given a number of options for measures to take to fix the situation. These included the following: a) 20mph speed limits in appropriate areas b) Speed cameras (automatic enforcement) c) Community Speedwatch (volunteer-led monitoring) d) Speed indicator devices (displaying vehicle speeds) e) Physical traffic calming (speed bumps, chicanes) f) Better signage and road markings g) Increased police enforcement patrols h) All of the above i) None of the above.
The most popular options were
- Better signage and road markings (with 57% giving it the highest level of preference)
- Increased police enforcement (with 49% giving it the highest level of preference)
- Speed cameras – automatic enforcement (with 46% giving it the highest level of preference).
- Speed indicator devices (with 41% giving it the highest level of preference).
- Physical traffic calming (with 35% giving it the highest level of preference).
Respondents were also invited to offer comments. A selection of these is below:
“Average speed cameras at either end of the 30mph areas please. Both directions.If that happens, shouldn’t need much else.”
“Camera technology is a lazy way of dealing with enforcement and doesn’t not pick up on the other issues of impairment.”
“People know there’s no cameras at night/early hours you can hear them racing past. I’ve had injured deers in my front garden in the morning”
“A hard hit of speed enforcement will act as a deterrent. Two average speed cameras at the entrance and exit to the village would stop speeders.”
“Speed bumps are not appropriate in our village due to gravel trucks and noise that it would create.”
“HGV’s are a nightmare in Brandon. Unless they are delivering they should be banned from using Brandon as a thoroughfare. They are damaging houses with vibration and polluting the town.”
“On the speed bumps, I feel we should be able to charge councils for damage to vehicles. Many are built but then unsafe due to parked cars, or unsuitable position, or they have corroded leaving holes. Also, have you ever tried riding over a poorly maintained speed bump? Death traps. Why not narrow the road in certain areas doesn’t impact it’s surface, it’s cheaper + you can leave access for bicycles.”
“This is urgent. It is so dangerous.”
“Speed cameras are just a cash cow, they do not prevent bad driving practices. Personally I would prefer to see more patrol car monitoring standards of drivers and their driving.”
“Please can you stop lorries and bigger vehicles coming through Clare. Culina for example. Clare needs a by-pass. Too much traffic comes through Clare also. It’s a short cut for many drivers between Sudbury and Haverhill.”
“We have 2 speed indicators they make no difference. We need traffic calming by bogh new developments at each end of village”
“All of these can be helpful, but at the same time, we have to consider the rural aspect of the area. Years ago, they painted bright red zig zags on the road in Upper Street, which didn’t slow traffic, but made the street look terrible. It’s a fine balance.”
“No 20 mph limit other than outside hospital or school times.“
“20mph limits are dangerous as the driver spends more time watching speed instead of the road.”
“Not speed bumps, these have been proven to delay emergency vehicles, increase pollution and damage vehicles. Other traffic calming options are much better.“
“Speeding is just a money raising scheme , and speed limits are way too low on motorways, poor lane discipline and bad driving is a bigger problem.”
“We have years of evidence that shows that appealing to motorists’ better natures via signage, road markings and flashing sugns don’t work. You have to lhysically force drivers to slow down or make it clear that points and fines are on the way for breaking village speed limits. Get speed ramps fitted in Holywell Row and I’ll vote for you for ever more!.”
“A blanket 20mph limit may be too low. Really the problem is that drivers don’t slow down for bends and blind junctions, and there is a lot of dangerous parking hindering visibility.”
“Traffic calming measures only hamper the traffic on a specific section. Traffic flow needs to be improved. The chicanes are a nightmare please don’t add any more!!! All they do is impede the traffic flow which annoys the drivers and as soon as they get past the chicane they speed up and hurtle through the village to make up the time lost queuing at the chicane.”
“Parking needs looking at too, we live in white horse road, it’s impossible to get out at the top sometimes as you can’t see either way for parked cars, was promised by a policewomen 16years ago for double yellow lines on both corners.”
“We already have a temporary speed indicator, but it is not permanently fixed. Being the first house in the 30zone, people are regularly speeding past because they are not facing any consequences. Our son was hit outside our house by a local driver when he was walking the dog. It is a juntion on the brow of the hill and road narrows and there is no footpath. People do not drive carefully enough for this situation.”
