Dear Sir or Madam,
I had a telephone conversation with a highways official on May 17th concerning the repositioning of speed limit signs on West Drove South. Is it possible to now indicate a date for this work to be carried out please? In addition I was advised that the reason for moving the signs was “honestly” not known. Can you please now advise me of the official explanation for this work?
On another matter I would like to make representation to the highways department herein that I am of the opinion that maintaining a limit of 40mph is not sustainable bearing in mind the current building programme of an estate of affordable family homes (both those currently under construction and those yet to be started that the planning department have told me are “agreed”) alongside a single track country lane, poorly maintained, without footpaths and no viable street lighting.
There will be a very considerable increase in the number of children living in West Drove South with “nowhere to play” – the village has no facilities at all for children as SHDC must be acutely aware. The properties these children will be living in are of significantly smaller dimensions to previous incarnations of social housing consisting of very small room sizes on very small plots. When comparing the new properties with the existing West Drove South housing we are talking 2 new family homes equating 1 existing. The letting conditions will be such that each bedroom must be occupied which will mean a 3 bed property, assuming nuclear numbers, a married couple plus 2 children – possibly more children. With the 22 homes earmarked for completion between the repositioned speed limit signs – I rest my case for a large influx of children. In addition the off street parking should not be confused, as indeed I do not, with increased road use – the current off street parking becoming apparent merely reflects the existing properties drives and garages in a different form.
Putting this together the road usage could be safely assumed to triple with all lets filled – as we have stated the new buildings equate to ratio 2:1. With the numbers of children in the new estate I have reason to believe that a significant risk is being presented to young lives if a speed limit of 20 mph is not put into play. It is sending the wrong message to motorists in an effectively urbanised environment alongside a single track country lane with no footpath to say that 40 mph is safe. It is not. I believe it would be impossible to find a similar scenario in this country and your department risks censure from safety organisations who, I am sure, would be horrified by SHDC Highway’s plans.
The West Drove South speed limit must be reduced in line with the risk factors mentioned – large numbers of children on a single track country lane with no footpath and no street lights – to 20 mph. Had the lane be widened to 2 track with footpath I would suggest the circumstances would warrant 30 mph.
I am making this request now in order to save costs in view of the imminent repositioning. Finally I fear that if the contents herein are ignored that the council will, in a matter of time, face a potentially bankrupting financial challenge following the injury or death of a child. Isn’t a fact that the majority of children hit at 40 mph DIE?
If this request is deemed not worthy of its full 20 mph request I require of an escalation process in order to appeal please.
Yours
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