All posts in the topic Speeding (Short link)
Summary
- There are 14 posts — by 11 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Matthew Symonds at 2007 Oct 12 06:37 UTC
| From | File | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Symonds | 20mph heart A4.pdf | 2007 Jul 17 20:06 UTC |
| Matthew Symonds | PACE leaflet final 1.pdf | 2007 Oct 12 06:37 UTC |
Hello All, I'm Alice Ferguson. Bristol born and bred, I've been living in Southville for the past 7 years and have a 5 and a 1 year old, so spend most of my life on and around North Street. In the past I have worked for Sustrans on their Safe Routes to Schools campaign, and am now involved with the School Travel Action Group at Ashton Gate school. I would love to see our streets become quiet and pleasant spaces where everyone can feel safe and older children can get about independently. Obviously we can't 'homezone' the whole of Bedminster but we can do something about speeding, and parked cars (which is another whole subject!). Unfortunately, there are still far too many drivers going over the speed limit, and a small minority driving ridiculously fast and recklessly, which makes my blood boil! Personally, I think 30 mph is too fast anyway for residential streets and those around schools - I would like to see 20 as a MAXIMUM for the whole area, and cyclists and pedestrians given back at least equal priority. Let's reclaim our streets! Do you agree? What can we do about it? Any comments welcome! Alice Ferguson Sustainability Manager Tobacco Factory Raleigh Road Bristol BS3 1TF 0117 9630936 07896 957141 Website: http://www.tobaccofactory.com **Please consider the environment before printing this email**
When May's council elections are safely over, it would be good to get a group of people together from Southville/Bedminster/Ashton to discuss the whole issue of speeding in the area. 20mph is certainly an attractive idea, but it needs to be enforced. There are also a set of issues around individual streets - Raleigh Road, Greenway Bush Lane, Smythe Road, Duckmoor, Greville, the Chessels - possibly any long street in the area - in fact it may help if you could add to the list. The best form of enforcement is probably introducing physical measures - traffic calming - to force vehicles to slow down. But this would cost huge amounts to implement across the area as a whole. There are other possibilities - community speedwatch, pace cars. One thing we could do is to set up a 'Slower Speeds/20mph' strategy. Would you be willing to help? Is it worth it? Charlie Bolton Green Party Councillor Southville >>> sustain <<email obscured>> 13/03/07 12:20 >>> Hello All, I'm Alice Ferguson. Bristol born and bred, I've been living in Southville for the past 7 years and have a 5 and a 1 year old, so spend most of my life on and around North Street. In the past I have worked for Sustrans on their Safe Routes to Schools campaign, and am now involved with the School Travel Action Group at Ashton Gate school. I would love to see our streets become quiet and pleasant spaces where everyone can feel safe and older children can get about independently. Obviously we can't 'homezone' the whole of Bedminster but we can do something about speeding, and parked cars (which is another whole subject!). Unfortunately, there are still far too many drivers going over the speed limit, and a small minority driving ridiculously fast and recklessly, which makes my blood boil! Personally, I think 30 mph is too fast anyway for residential streets and those around schools - I would like to see 20 as a MAXIMUM for the whole area, and cyclists and pedestrians given back at least equal priority. Let's reclaim our streets! Do you agree? What can we do about it? Any comments welcome! Alice Ferguson Sustainability Manager Tobacco Factory Raleigh Road Bristol BS3 1TF 0117 9630936 07896 957141 Website: http://www.tobaccofactory.com **Please consider the environment before printing this email**
Hi,
I agree with Charlie about the need to establish a local group that will
look at practical ways of reducing speeds, including the methods that he
mentions.
But, some cities are already establishing 20mph for ALL residential areas.
I think this might be a more effective scheme than doing it neighbourhood by
neighbourhood as drivers will be less confused by moving from one area to
another.
I guess that initially we will need to campaign oat both levels.
One of the things I will be doing is asking ALL candidates in Bedminster and
Southville, at least, in the coming local election what their attitude is to
both 20mph locally and across the city. Perhaps we can publish their
responses, or none, on this forum.
Cheers, Ben.
I'd add Catherine Mead Street (particularly by the hair-pin bend where it
becomes Lombard Street) to that list. While physical traffic calming may be
appropriate in certain streets, I think we need to do more to change the
culture of drivers in residential roads. That's why I think a 20mph zone in
Southville would be a good start. The key thing is enforcement as it seems
there's little point in having a speed limit that nobody pays attention to.
Thankfully, I understand enforcement action is taking place in some cities
across the country where 20mph zones have been created.
In 30mph zones, fixed penalty notices are generally enforced by drivers caught
speeding at 35mph+. This equates to a £60 fine and three penalty points.
However, drivers need to be travelling at 50mph before a summons will be
issued. This brings with it the possibility of a fine up to £1,000 and,
potentially, disqualification. In 20mph zones, speeds of 25mph+ bring a fixed
penalty notice, while those travelling at 35mph face a summons. That, to me,
seems much more appropriate on our residential roads.
I think it's important when discussing this subject to look at actual accident
statistics (both car and pedestrian). Are they dreadful for this area? Or is
the speeding car argument based on people's individual perceptions and (dare I
say it) a propensity to be a bit anti-car?
In the face of a wholly appalling lack of decent public transport, those of us
who don't work within walking distance (in Frenchay, in my case) are reliant on
their cars, and as a driver (and frequent pedestrian) in the area for 14 years,
I can't say that I've ever come across these inconsiderate speeding motorists.
I do hope that traffic calming measures like islands will be discounted, as
they've been proven not only to cause damage to vehicles (especially, and
rather ironically, large vehicles like buses) and buildings but also to
increase airborne pollution due to vehicles having to brake and change gear.
A new advert has been produced in Australia to help reinforce the message that it isn't big to speed. It is certainly tounge in cheek but i think it will contribute towards changing attitudes among all road users that speeding isn't acceptable (but in an amusing way). Take a look and see what you think: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6240288.stm
I thought I would add to the thoughts about slogans. I have just spent the
weekend in Ipswich and the signs near a school I saw said "20's plenty". It has
a nice ring about it.
(this is my first ever post - so hi!).
Hi David, welcome to the forum!
I still have vivid recall of an extremely effective TV advert from my
childhood; simply a peach being struck with force by a hammer...
Does anyone know how many successful prosecutions for speeding in the 20 mph
school zones have been recorded in Bristol in recent years? Or indeed how to
find that out?
Matthew,
Your poster didn't come through when you mentioned it before. Could you
try again, as my friends and I would like to display something locally?
Helen
I'll try to post the poster to the GB Forum site again (it's a PDF) - if this
doesn't work maybe someone could tell me what I'm doing wrong. If you can
access the poster and want to encourage drivers to go at 20mph please put a
poster up.
Best wishes
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For anyone wanting to get their ideas together about traffic problems, the
obvious place is www.sustrans.org.uk
The project "Liveable Neighbourhoods" is particularly useful.
But I agree that without effective compliance any changes for the better are
not going to work. Unfortunately there are just too many people who think
their car use overrides all other considerations. And some (many?) develop
split personalities, having a dream of safe and pleasant pedestrian friendly
streets, but arguing that it is impossible for them personally to function
below their current car use.
So unless we want to get police, parking services etc patrolling the area
gathering up offenders, and maybe local people reporting violations (both
unlikely, and unpleasant), all of us need to "do our bit". Of course there is
a need for some enforcement, and for better public transport. But this does
not mean we can do nothing in the meantime. Everyone could join with their
neighbours to sort out priorities and agree personal changes and local
community plans. This would be a much more positive and empowering approach,
and something the 20 mile an hour campaign could give a kick start to (rather
than being an end goal only).
Any legal change will not work unless there is an attitude change by residents,
involving taking responsibility for personal contributions to this problem.
For inspiration visit (on foot) the Home Zone around the school in Stackpool
Road - the planting there is an uplifting, fragrant mixture, including edible
plants. Pure inspiration.
Diane Jones
Dear all As part of their Sustainable Southville Project, Southville Community Development association (SCDA) are launching a Greater Bedminster Pace Car Scheme. You may have already heard about Pace Car as some local schools (Ashton Gate and Luckwell Primary Schools) have already launched Pace car. By signing the Pace Car Pledge local car owners are asked to recognise that their car impacts on the life of other residents and their streets, just as their car impacts on them. People are asked to pledge to: · Drive within the speed limit · Minimise their own car use · Stop to let pedestrians cross · Display a Pace Car sticker · Reclaim their street for socialising · Have fun while caring about others! If you’re not familiar with Pace Car you can find out more from the questions and answers at the end of this message, by downloading the Pace car leaflet with this message or by visiting http://southvillecentre.org.uk/article.php3?id_article=152 I hope that you will, support the Pace Car scheme and the continuing efforts to make our roads safer for children, pedestrians, cyclists and drivers in Ashton, Bedminster and Southville. If your visiting the Best of Bedminster show this Saturday (13 October) then you'll be able to sign the pledge at the Sustainable Southville Project stall. Best wishes Matthew Pace Car Questions and Answers What is the Neighbourhood Pace Car Scheme? ’Pace Cars’ is a successful idea developed by communities in Australia and America. to make neighbourhoods a safer place to walk, drive and cycle. How does it work? Pace car volunteers sign a pledge to do the following: · Drive within the speed limit · Stop for pedestrians · Drive courteously · Display a Pace Car Sticker on their vehicles What are the benefits of being a Pace Car driver? 1. You make all the neighbourhood streets much safer for everyone - children, pedestrians, cyclists, and even pets. 2. Drivers are much better equipped to stop on demand when driving within the speed limit. 3. You slow people behind you and set an example for those drivers behind you. You’re not impeding traffic if you are driving within the speed limit! 4.You curb the noise on the streets. You can find out more about Pace Car at www.lesstraffic.com Greater Bedminster PACE Car is supported by Bristol City Council’s Neighbourhood Transport Fund and the Greater Bedminster Community Partnership
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