Brakes put on £500k plans to cut speed limits across North East Lincolnshire
PROPOSALS for a £500,000 scheme to reduce speed limits across North East Lincolnshire have been put on hold following a request for "evidence" to "justify" councillors giving them their support.
As reported, North East Lincolnshire Council's plans to slow traffic on roads ranging from the A180 and A18, to residential streets in the wards of East Marsh and Sidney Sussex – in the hope of reducing fatal and serious accidents – proved controversial.
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HAPPY AT DECISION: Humberston resident Hayden Dawkins, pictured with a petition calling for the speed cut plans to be revised, as he attends a scrutiny meeting at Grimsby Town Hall. Picture: Michelle Adamson. Buy this photo at www.thisisphotosales.co.uk/grimsby or by contacting 08444 060910
The proposals were first challenged by Hayden Dawkins, 46, of Forest Way, Humberston, who launched a petition calling for a committee made up of councillors, traffic engineers and – most importantly – ordinary road users, to revise the plans.
The matter was then called-in to a meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council's Regeneration, Housing and Scrutiny Committee by Councillor Philip Jackson (Waltham) who said he was concerned there may be ways of "getting more bang for our buck".
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Jason Longhurst, the council's assistant executive director for planning, transportation and housing, told the committee that the plans were not and never had been "a fait accompli" and that a full public consultation had always been planned.
He said that the proposals had been drawn up as part of the Local Transport Plan, in line with central government direction and in consultation with Humberside Police, on the basis of traffic flow, average speed and accident statistics.
However, although all councillors were happy to back plans for 20mph zones around schools, Councillor Jackson called for a select committee to be formed which would undertake a full scrutiny review of the rest of the proposals before any consultation began.
Councillor Jackson, a long-standing member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: "We need to be sure that if we are spending that amount of money, we are getting the best value in terms of the number of lives and injuries we are going to save, and I am not convinced this is the best way to do this."
He also suggested a number of alternatives to cutting speed limits which he believed would reduce accidents.
These included extending unbroken white lines on the A18 to prevent overtaking where it was "unsafe" and "improving road safety" at roundabouts to reduce collisions. He said: "We also need to ensure we keep traffic moving. It is vital for the local economy."
He was backed by Councillor John Fenty (Con, Humberston and New Waltham) who said it would be a "dereliction of his duty as a councillor" not to review the accident figures and traffic studies used to formulate the plans before making a decision.
Chairman of the committee Andrew De Freitas (Lib Dem, Park) said he believed public consultation was "vital".
But, he added: "I am very distressed when people say a child hasn't been killed on a particular road, so it isn't a problem. We should not have to wait for someone to be killed."
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Dawkins said: "I am very happy at the decision. At least we have got it stopped for the time being."
Keep up to date:
The committee backed Councillor Jackson's proposal, meaning that the matter will now be passed back to Alex Wallace, the council's portfolio holder for Environment and Strategic Housing, who will consider the committee's request.
Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for more details.
Support for speed limit cuts review is gaining pace
Call for the brakes to be put on speed plan for North East Lincolnshire
Comments
by maybebaby2
Thursday, March 08 2012, 10:13PM
“Well done Hayden and a very big 'Thank you' for speaking up for our town.
Now forgive me if I seem a bit stupid but does this article, quote
"The committee backed Councillor Jackson's proposal, meaning that the matter will now be passed back to Alex Wallace, the council's portfolio holder for Environment and Strategic Housing, who will consider the committee's request."
unquote, mean that the decision is based on the opinion of this one person,Labour Councillor for the Sidney Sussex Ward whose ward probably ends two years from now.
Further quotes (you have to pay to see the full article cos it is top secret)
"""""MORE than Pounds 4 million will be spent by the council on road maintenance, road safety and public transport in North East Lincolnshire this year.
The council's 2011-12 Local Transport Plan (LTP) programme comprises more than Pounds 2 million of road maintenance works and also incorporates additional funding to deal with potholes resulting from last winter's bad weather."""""
"""""Cash to Improve Road Maintenance, Road Safety and Public Transport
The programme, which has been given the green light by portfolio holder for environment Alex Wallace will be delivered by the council partner Balfour Beatty Workplace.
Council leader Chris Shaw said the investment in the highway network would benefit both businesses and residents, whether they drive, cat...""""""
Where has the money been spent????
Today I spend a good £30 having the tracking corrected on my car front and rear, why you may ask, because I have passed over more potholes in the road this year than a sponge has holes.
I have just driven the length of Grimsby up to Cleethorpes and not one road has passed the inspection test.
I have waited more time waiting for oncoming traffic to zigzag the parked cars on too narrow roads for double parking (poor pedestrians) and stopped at traffic lights to allow imaginary cars to flow through.
I personally think these guys who are responsible for our safety should get out there and look for themselves at the disgusting state our roads are in. Go back to the basics, spend the money here where it is most needed and we will have a safer road system.”
by merkin13
Thursday, March 08 2012, 8:52PM
“Look at the bus stops on dudley st,look at the bus stops on durban road,look all around the town at the bus stops they are an accident waiting to happen”
by davendogs
Thursday, March 08 2012, 8:10AM
“Several of those at the meeting declared themselves as in the IAM club. It wasn't necessary, more like point scoring. The sort of thing that would happen in the playground, my dads bigger than your dad. These meetings could do with a sketch artist, the scope for caricatures is amazing.”
by GYBusDriver
Thursday, March 08 2012, 12:29AM
“Hooligan, 100% with you, look at great coates bus stops, damn great island, bus stops blocks mini r/a both sides.
Grimsby/Cleethorpes road, stops within crossing zigzags. Usually a 9 & 13 following, both buses stop crossing blocked.
Top of isaac's hill, out side BHF electronics, top of hill, blind bend with an obstructed filter lane.
Fairfielf Estate, bus top following blind bend etc etc, do i need to go on, I could list a hundred faulty, dangerous or inadequately sited stops...”
by Hooligan365
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 11:37PM
“Sorry abandon.......”
by Hooligan365
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 11:36PM
“"There are so many BASIC things wrong with our roads like bus stops immediately opposite each other on single carriage ways .....why? 2 buses stop everything stops - just no need."
These are planned so as to stop the flow of traffic behind buses, just like having bus stops alongside a central island crossing point. I'm sure its the objective from somewhere on high to reduce traffic flow to such an extent that people abondan their cars!”
by GYBusDriver
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 10:26PM
“nogoarea45 said
"Committe request passed back to Alex Wallace??
Is Wallace an Advanced Driver, a traffic engineer or an expert in traffic safety? I would seriously imagine not!"
Don't be so bleedin' stupid. Someone in charge of a project who knows anything about the indepth items of said project. How very dare you consider such a thought, i shall complain to the Daily Telegraph about you forthwith!
Yours, Angrily,
John Surbiton.....
(yes, its very tongue in cheek!)”
by nogoarea45
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 5:40PM
“Committe request passed back to Alex Wallace??
Is Wallace an Advanced Driver, a traffic engineer or an expert in traffic safety? I would seriously imagine not!
Good at wanting to charge £25 to empty our brown bins though!
He'll be wanting to reduce speed limits and then fine local rate payers for speeding just to replace his lost 'bin tax'.
Just watch!”
by Kerfuddled
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 1:10PM
“Welll done! Stop the Council bringing this town to a standstill and let's get some real progress and results and solutions in place instead of speed limits, trafficlights, blocked roads and tailbacks and hefty contracts handed over willynilly.
There are so many BASIC things wrong with our roads like bus stops immediately opposite each other on single carriage ways .....why? 2 buses stop everything stops - just no need. Get some people with some common sense to drive around and start sorting all this rubbish out. The Scatho Road "improvements" are anything but. People are putting their foot down to get through those awful lights (as they do at most traffic lights now out of sheer frusration). Sort the roundabout lanes out and put them all back how they used to be ispreading the flow of traffic instead of creating queues ........”
by davendogs
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 12:38PM
“Kaitan, Des. Your feelings are justified, I was there well for 2hours before excusing myself. The proposers for this struck me as We are up for pleasing central government. Bit more cash in the kitty regardless of it being a viable scheme. One gent present on the opposing side, man with yellow tie, his view against was concise and sensible. Keep it up Hayden. The crafty lot will be looking at other ways to slip it in now.”