Near misses spark call for 20mph speed zone - The Worcester Observer

Near misses spark call for 20mph speed zone

Worcester Editorial 18th Jul, 2015 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

A CONCERNED Barbourne resident has called for a 20mph speed limit to be introduced after numerous incidents which have seen children nearly hit by cars.

Rosemary Henderson has lived on Tennis Walk for seven years and spoke out at Worcestershire County Council on Thursday (July 9).

The worried resident handed over signatures on a petition calling on council chiefs to put the 20mph restriction on the road and surrounding streets.

She has spent three months gathering support from more than 50 residents and has spoken with the highways agency and, although the road is often double-parked at peak times, they have measured speeds of up 42mph.




The 33-year-old said: “From door knocking I have heard numerous accounts of children experiencing near misses with cars, elderly and frail people not being able to move quick enough because of the speeding traffic, the infirm, disabled, pets, property being damaged including cars and walls.

“Hopefully the council will see this is a positive move and step to implement. It has been done in lots of other towns, villages, Cotswolds areas and cities, and I would love to implement it into our area.”


Mrs Henderson has also been in contact with the headteacher of The Royal Grammar School who supports the campaign for the 20mph limit and they have written a letter to the council expressing their concerns.

Green Party councillor Matthew Jenkins, who represents the area, is in favour of the proposal as a supporter for the wider national 20’s Plenty Campaign which calls for these reduced limits in these built up areas especially roads near schools.

He said: “The area is a bit of a cut-through. There is the RGS school backing Tennis Walk and there are children walking through the streets there where there are several cars parked, so driving at anything above 20mph is dangerous in my view and the view of the residents that live there.

“Parking on these streets is an issue in itself, sometimes people park up the kerb and so people have no choice but to walk almost in the road and with cars speeding past it is so dangerous.

“I hope to council change their current view but they have implemented it in areas near schools before.

“It is a matter of putting up signs. There is no need to adapt the road in any way and so compared to other things they spend money on it is a small amount to them,” he added.

A County Council spokesman said: “The county council is happy to receive feedback from residents.

“As with all petitions, we will now review this and respond accordingly.”

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