Speeding in the Village

Residents meetings, November 2012

One of the first measures to come out of meetings of concerned residents was an awareness campaign. This comprised the publication and distribution to all residents of the leaflet you can see above. Click the image of the leaflet to download a copy.

Actions taken by the Parish Council since June 2010

• The PC contacted and met with the NYCC Road Safety and Travel Awareness Officer in 2010 following complaints about speeding in Marton, and the lack of a footpath for mothers walking children to school on the hill between Marton and Grafton.
• He ruled out white lines (road too narrow), 20 mph limit (see below) or extra signage and advised that NYCC had no funds available.
• He suggested utilising 1 metre strip of field edge as a footpath between the two villages but the landowner was not agreeable.
• The issue of speeding was raised with the County Councillor who cited huge budget constraints and recommended the public report number plate details to the police. This advice has been reiterated by NYCC and the police as the most appropriate action to be taken.
• Braimber Lane: Highways were requested to paint white lines or place road narrowing signs on the dangerous bends. This was refused – the road is too narrow to meet the criteria and current signs were considered sufficient.
• The PC made enquiries about prtable speed monitoring. Eventually it was agreed and monitoring took place for 6 days in November 2010 near Ivy House resulting in an average speed of cars travelling in and out of the village of 25.8 mph. There was an average of seven vehicles in a 24-hour period travelling in each direction between 35-45 mph – 3.7% of vehicles. Concern was expressed about the danger to pedestrians, horse riders etc from the 3.7% – but the police results did not justify traffic calming measures.
• In March 2011 further complaints were made. The results of the tracking survey were displayed on the village website. A letter was sent to the School Governors who agreed to ask parents to slow down.
• In September 2011 further complaints about speeding to the school were once again taken up with the school. The Clerk undertook further research about signs.
• In March 2012, after a lengthy discussion, the Clerk contacted the Police regarding a Community speed watch scheme and NYCC regarding the costs of purchasing speeding signs.
• Great Ouseburn PC were contacted and advised that whilst their flashing sign did initially slow drivers down, the main problem was with the Linton Airmen who appeared to ignore it and still sped through the village.
• NYCC particularly warned against rumble strips as causing noise that would irritate local residents. They believed the village had adequate signage. They would not agree to reduce the speed limit to 20 mph in the village. Current legislation requires additional traffic calming measures, such as chicanes or speed bumps, alongside 20 mph signs – such as are seen near schools. These measure were not thought to be justified or appropriate and would cause noise disturbance to local properties.
• The Clerk has asked the police to do “spot” radar checks, which should take place within the next few months.
  In July 2012 concerns were expressed about drivers leaving the Punch Bowl at speed and it was agreed to speak to the pub about possibly placing a sign outside the pub.
• In September 2012, after a further series of emails about speeding, it was agreed that a working party of volunteers would research further options and report back to the PC.