As part of our efforts to improve driver awareness and limit excess speeds through our villages, the Parish Council has now installed a Speed Indicator Device (SID). Self-evident - it displays the actual speed you are driving at, with appropriate "comment". Less well known is that they also record traffic data (including vehicle speeds) and there is a scheme across Wiltshire for parishes to download the data and forward on to the Police. We WILL be participating!
We will have four locations in the Winterbournes (2 on the A338, the Portway and Gomeldon Road), and will move the SID between them. It can face either direction so that gives us 8 positions. We have budgeted for a second SID, so if all goes well we will purchase another next year.
Early evidence suggests that our SID is having a positive effect on traffic speeds. The data below show that when drivers can see SID ("inbound") a high proportion is driving within the speed limit (90%). For traffic in the other direction (who see only the back of SID) more are travelling too fast - only 68% still within the speed limit, and 6% over 35mph!
Regarding traffic calming measures in general we have this as a regular agenda item at our Parish Council meetings, and have been exploring and discussing with Wiltshire Council a range of options to improve driver awareness and limit excess speeds. One of the frustrations for us all is that regulations and guidance do impose restrictions on what can be done, especially on A roads. It is also the case that any proposals for change need to be supported by data (e.g traffic volume and speeds). What we have done so far includes:
The Parish Council has requested traffic surveys on three entry points into our villages (the Portway, Down Barn Road, Gomeldon Road). We have the results of these surveys now which, together with the data from an earlier private survey on the A338 in Winterbourne Earls, mean we have the data to support Speedwatch locations, installation of the Speed Indicator Display (SID) and maybe other measures. The survey results from the Portway revealed a considerable excess of speed which met the threshold for police enforcement, and we are pressing for this to be done.
Speed Watch has been the best option we have for calming traffic – a key advantage is that it is within our control as it operated by our community volunteers. Up to now we have operated along the A338 (and the team have been out this week), but with the recent traffic survey data we are requesting police approval to operate on the Portway and Gomeldon Road.
We have requested that Wilts Council Highways ensure that all 30mph signs are visible and road markings improved – some of this has been done, and we will monitor and re-request as needed.
We have a “wish list” of other options, but for many of these we have been advised by Wiltshire Council Highways that they either cannot be done, or are unlikely to be approved.
Charles Penn
Join Our Newsletter
Subscribe to our website to receive the latest news about our Parish.
Become a Contributor
The Village Link is no longer published in printed form, but continues on this web site. Rather than having four distinct editions each year, it will be updated on a continual basis as newsworthy events occur. To make a contribution press the button below.
Become a Contributor
Please send us information about yourself and how would you like to help us improve the site and add content.
Copyright © 2024 Oxarix Web Studio