Safe Speed Forums

As the council are planning to install even more speed bumps around my village, I've been trying to put together my objection letter.

To be honest, i feel I'm completely wasting my time. Looking back through previous installations, and the objections recieved, the bumps have been railroaded through anyway...


CURRENT POSITION

Not necessary, advisory Twenty’s Plenty works well. While it is correct that the Twenty’s Plenty restrictions have been quite successful they have always been seen as an interim arrangement. The effectiveness of any such advisory measure tends to diminish over time. The introduction of a mandatory limit, supported by physical measures, is seen as necessary to ensure the ongoing speed reduction and to allow the Police to carry out enforecement in exceptional cases.

Speed cushions do not slow down buses, HGVs and 4 x 4s etc. It is accepted that larger vehicles will be able to pass over cushions more easily than smaller ones. However, speed cushions will still be effective in encouraging drivers of larger vehicles to slow down. In residential areas the great majority of vehicles are not buses, HGVs or 4 x4s. Speed cushions have been designed to minimise discomfort to bus passengers.

Speed cushions damage cars. There have been a number of claims of this, but no definitive evidence. If drivers pass correctly over a speed cushion and feel uncomfortable or sense that their vehicle may be subject to damage, then they have the option of moderating their speed on future ocassions. Streets are littered with cars, so drivers can’t speed. Clearly parked cars do help to encourage lower speeds. However, during the working day, when children are on their way to/from school the number of parked cars is much reduced. We cannot rely on parked cars alone to achive lower speeds.

Not necessary, no accidents. It is correct that there is not an undue accident problem in Ciarneyhill. However, the Council is frequently criticised for only being reactive – “does an accident have to happen before something will be done?”. In this case we are trying to be proactive and seeking to prevent accidents by encouraging more appropriate speeds.

Will the Council ensure that emergency vehicles will not be affected? All emergency services are consulted about all speed reduction proposals. To date they have not raised any objections.

Speed humps / cushions cause pain and discomfort to disabled drivers. Some research does indicate that for those with existing degenerative spinal conditions, there is some potential for a degree of discomfort. However, the research suggests that this is conditional on the speed, size and type of the vehicle. A balance does need to be struck between the possible discomfort of a minority of road users and the general safety benefits which slower speed does produce. The local elected member, Cllr Alan Kenney is supportive of the proposals as are the Police.

RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that the Committee set aside the objections to the proposed speed cushions to allow the scheme to proceed, in the interest of road safety.


I was planning to use the argument that they were unneccesary, since there have been no accidents in my village for many years, but as you can see.. this is just brushed under the carpet.

How can they possibly justify speed bumps, with all the problems they bring, when there is absolutely no need for them???

It makes my blood boil!!! any ideas on feasable objections?