Slow Down On Church Road Say Webheath Residents

The Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia is launching a new mobile speed enforcement site next week in direct response to concerns from Webheath, Redditch residents and parents of children attending Webheath First School worried about the speeds of vehicles travelling on Church Road.  

Church Road is a designated ‘Walking Bus Route' and specific concerns have been raised regarding vehicle speeds during the times that this is in operation and the potential dangers this creates for the young children using the route. In response to these concerns, a speed camera van will now enforce the 30mph limit on Church Road during term time.

Following the collection of speed data on Church Road in Webheath, it is clear that there is a speeding issue. The latest data from the Safer Roads Partnership shows that half of all vehicles break the 30mph speed limit and 15% of all drivers travel above 37mph.

The issue has been raised by concerned residents at the local PACT (Partners and Communities Together) meeting on many occasions. PC Richard Waterhouse, the local policing officer, has responded by enforcing the speed limit using a handheld speed detection device. A vehicle activated sign which indicates to a driver that the speed limit is 30mph has also been used on Church Road to help reduce driver speeds and encourage greater compliance with the speed limit.

However, speeds on Church Road are still too high and residents wanted further action to be taken to improve the safety of the road. Katy Jenkins from the Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia, comments: "The message to drivers from the local community living in and around Webneath is clear: slow down on Church Road. Concern has come from many sections of the community and I would urge all drivers to be aware of the vulnerability of many of the road users using this stretch of road and slow down - especially during the times when the Walking Bus is in operation. The use of speed enforcement at this site clearly benefits the community and has the support of local residents."

Dave Clee from Worcestershire County Council said: "The community concern project is something that we are pleased to be an active part of. The value of addressing local community speed concerns undoubtedly leads to improved quality of life and peace of mind for numerous residents within these areas."

One concerned resident contacted the Safer Roads Partnership directly and has been actively involved in moving the issue up the local agenda. Jan Anderson says: "I was very concerned about the speeds along Church Road. The children using the Walking Bus will be much safer now, as will the families out for walks. This is what a community that is prepared to take action can achieve."

The 30mph speed limit will be enforced on Church Road using either a speed camera motorcycle or van from week commencing 6 September. There will be an initial period of enforcement during which time speed data will be collected to monitor the impact of enforcement on driver behaviour.

The site forms part of the ‘Community Concern' scheme which allows the Safer Roads Partnership and its member agencies to respond directly to requests from local people for speed enforcement and other road safety activity.

The Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia and its partner agencies receive a huge number of requests from local people for speed enforcement. The Safer Roads Partnership and its partner agencies respond to these requests for action to be taken against speeding drivers through the ‘Community Concern' programme. In cases where there is a significant level of concern from local people supported by speed data to demonstrate an enforceable speed problem the request can be considered as part of the scheme.

The Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia is made up of 13 partner agencies including Worcestershire County Council and West Mercia Police. The aim of the Partnership is to reduce the number of casualties and make the roads safer for all users in West Mercia through speed enforcement and by seeking to change attitudes and behaviour.

Issued: Wednesday 1 September 2010