Calls for measures to stop speeding on busy road (From Worcester News)

Calls for measures to stop speeding on busy Worcester road

11:38am Thursday 21st March 2013 in News By James Connell

THE overwhelming majority of residents have backed calls to make a Worcester road safer from speeding cars.

Almost every one (104 out of 106, or 96 per cent of those asked) backed calls for Worcestershire County Council to launch an investigation into speeding in Lansdowne Road.

The petition stated: "We, the undersigned, call upon Worcestershire County Council to investigate the speeding traffic on Lansdowne Road, look for solutions to ensure safer speeds and consult with local residents before and changes are made."

Signatures were collected on March 9 and 16.

Matthew Jenkins, of Nunnery, Worcester, a Green Party candidate for St Stephen's ward for Worcestershire County Council, helped take the petition door-to-doorwith Neil Laurenson, a Worcester City Councillor for the Green Party and Louis Stephen, who also represents the Greens.

The 41-year-old father-of-two said; "The issue of speeding cars on Lansdowne Road really struck a chord with the people we spoke to.
"Something clearly needs to be done to tackle this problem and improve the lives of those living in the area."

He said speaking to people in the area had given him more idea of the extent of the problem, with residents' complaints including wing mirrors being broken off by passing cars, families woken at 2am by the sound of speeding cars and older people having difficulty crossing the road due to the traffic.

"A few residents suggested some ways of combining calming traffic with something which would provide better parking for residents, such as narrowing the road at some place and forcing drivers to slow down," he said.

Worcestershire County Council's Highways Manager, Jon Fraser, said data from the road would be collected.

"We have received a request for an investigation into vehicle speeds on Lansdowne Road and will be placing data collection equipment," he said.

"A report will then be made on what action, if any, may be appropriate.  We understand the Safer Roads Partnership have also been approached in respect of speed enforcement on Lansdowne Road, and they may be undertaking their own assessment."