Gilberdyke Parish Council is working with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) on a proposed 20mph casualty reduction scheme or zone for roads ‘within the village’. The Parish Council consulted residents at a public meeting in August at which people were able to put forward their views. The proposal was quite popular with residents and received a great deal of support.By cutting average speeds to 20mph or less, experience has shown that injuries on the road can be reduced significantly. This is because road users have more time to react to danger.
As well as reducing the chance of collisions, slower speeds can mean that in any collisions that still occur, injuries are less serious. Young children and vulnerable road users are especially at risk and a 20 mph zone can help to reduce this risk. The casualty history in the area is that there have been 7 casualties, including 4 serious injuries in the previous 5 years. The scheme is to be funded from the ERYC Capital Programme and is "ring fenced" to contribute towards the Councils casualty reduction target.
Following the public meeting, the ERYC conducted further consultation over the affected area, with every household receiving a consultation leaflet. Residents were asked to complete and return the consultation form. Of the 364 leaflets returned, 291 (80%) were in favour of the scheme, 64 (18%) were against, and 9 (2%) were returned with no clear decision.
It has been confirmed that after feedback from residents and others, that no speed humps are proposed for the scheme. However two 2 speed reactive signs are planned to be installed on Clementhorpe Road/Scalby Lane to remind drivers of the speed limit on the long straight.
The next stage is for the ERYC engineering team to draw up the scheme and for the formal traffic orders to be progressed, which, upon completion of due process, will render the 20mph legally enforceable.
I have also asked the ERYC to look at the feasibility of having a ‘Peak Hours Waiting Restriction’ for the section of Clementhorpe Road that runs from the Memorial Hall corner to the school and beyond. This would be in addition to the 20mph zone and would address the parking problems we see outside the school at drop off and pick up times.
3 comments:
Control of speed within the village was supported by a large percentage of attending villagers at the consultation day so I can fully support this proposal to limit speed.
However I am aware that a number of residents living close to the school on Clementhorpe Road (those most affected) are opposed to having permanent parking restrictions placed outside their houses. Any parking restrictions being proposed must take their well being and opinions into account.
Why can't we have a pelican crossing at the junction with Station Road?
Our anonymous friend has the right idea again Paul.
A bona-fide crossing would serve to provide safe crossing of the road for pedestrians. This of course assumes that..
A. The pedestrians choose to use it rather than playing 'chicken' with approaching vehicles
and
B. Drivers pay attention to it.
Unfortunately my experience of the area shows that the latter is likely to be the sticking point. Far too many drivers around the area in question suffer from (what I call) the 'thousand yard stare' syndrome...they see but fail to comprehend.
Like the lady in her blue coloured ford estate who pulled out of Station road directly into my path last Tuesday, or the chap in the Black Vauxhall with all of it's windows tinted who nearly got himself 'T-boned' turning across the path of oncoming vehicles with not as much as a fleeting indication of his intention.
Or the idiot who by going to fast for the corner near the Memorial hall nearly lost it in his 'need for speed'.
All of the examples I've given happened between 3pm and 5.30 during the school week.
Instead of planting signs in the traditional 'cop out' response to bad driving by a minority, let's get some police out there on the roads. All the money ERYC has spent on 'traffic calming', illuminated speed warning signs and the labour to install them all over the past couple of years would go a long way towards paying for more police patrols in the areas where mere signs or other road furniture is presently or intended to be employed.
Let's target the problem drivers and not inconvenience the majority for the failings of the minority.
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