Calls for 20mph limits in Cheltenham grow louder
THERE are growing calls for speed limits in Cheltenham to be lowered in an effort to save lives on the town's roads.
Pedestrians and transport groups have called on highways bosses to introduce 20mph limits in the borough.
The news came as councillors across the area carried out a survey about the proposals.
Leckhampton Road resident Brian Hughes, who previously headed a pedestrians pressure group, said: "I'd be happy to see a 20mph limit even out here."
He said driving along Leckhampton Road from the Norwood to the junction with Old Bath Road at 30mph takes about two minutes, at 20 it takes about three minutes.
Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Cycling Campaign chairman John Mallows said he welcomed the calls for lower limits in urban areas.
He added: "People need to know cycling's health benefits outweigh risks twenty-fold.
"Still, something needs to be done. Sometimes high quality separated cycleways are appropriate but in Copenhagen, where cyclist wear normal clothes not space suits, pedestrians do not forfeit footways."
Adrian Roper, south west director of sustainable transport charity Sustrans, said: "Lowering the default speed limit to 20mph in Cheltenham's residential areas is the single biggest thing that can be done to make streets safer."
Liberal Democrats in Cheltenham started a consultation on the potential, but highways bosses at Shire Hall say any changes could have to be funded by the community.
Gloucestershire County Council spokeswoman Lisa Bonnell said no requests to look at 20mph zones had been received.
She added: "However, with limited resources, Gloucestershire County Council does have to prioritise its workload so schemes like this would need support from the community, both in regards to carrying out surveys and funding for any changes through the Big Community Offer scheme."
16 Comments
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by Desenchanter
Friday, February 10 2012, 9:55PM
“Trooper, I don't make the laws, or set the rules. If you don't like it, then either you sit on your hands, or you step up to the plate and let your feelings be known.
For what it is worth, That used to be a 60 (NSL) down the hill to that point, and many drivers didn't hit the brakes until after they had gone through the limit change. The Vulcan works entrance a fair bit further down was always a favourite place for the police to stand with a speed gun, and they did catch a lot of drivers as far down as there.”
by Jimmy231
Friday, February 10 2012, 9:28PM
“Can't wait for the new advert.
Hit me at 40, there's an 80% chance I'll die, hit me at 30, there's a 80% chance I'll live.
Hit me at 20 mph, and there's a chance I'm immortal.
Besides this ad encourages gambling, I quite like those odds.”
by trooper89
Friday, February 10 2012, 5:52PM
“but desenchanter, a cyclist could still cause serious harm or even worse to pedestrian crossing the road at that speed or less if they hit them. any one using the roads they should use common sense no matter what they are using.we should not have different rules for cyclist.”
by Desenchanter
Friday, February 10 2012, 3:47PM
“Trooper - whilst I agree it is excessive (and appreciate that there was significant risk if it went wrong) speed limits don't apply to cyclists so I didn't actually break the law as it is written (per-se)”
by trooper89
Friday, February 10 2012, 3:29PM
“I thought desenchanter was a law abiding member of the public? mmmm”
by Desenchanter
Friday, February 10 2012, 1:35PM
“I touched 45mph on my bicycle coming down Leckhampton Rd past the junction of the old bath road a few years ago . It would have been a bit of a mess if I'd have gone into the back of a car doing 20mph. It wasn't big or clever, and no irony intended, but that is the way it is as speed limits do not apply to bicycles. I wasn't alone and everybody coming down the hill on a bicycle tends to bomb down there.”
by Wally37
Friday, February 10 2012, 1:07PM
“I can get at least 25 mph out of my push bike going down the leckhampton road and I dont want to start overtaking cars.”
by TheSherbourne
Friday, February 10 2012, 12:46PM
“If you took the average speed to get across Cheltenham it would be less than 20mph so it really wouldn't make a difference. I can see the sense, but Leckhampton Road is suitable to remain a 30mph limit.
As MeerkatManor said it's the drivers who abuse the laws who need to be targeted (I have no qualms in saying it's mostly drivers of Audis/BMWs or 4x4's on the school run. Controversial, but let's face it, it's true.)
Pedestrians also need to be taught the rules of the road. Imposing 20mph on Leckhampton Road is health and safety gone mad. Let's just use our common sense and respect road users no matter who or what they are and dig out our Highway Code every now and then.”
by cheltenham20
Friday, February 10 2012, 10:33AM
“I understand that the average speed around Cheltenham is approx 10 miles an hr, so many traffic lights its impossible to get your car to a 20 speed...This idea is by Liberal do gooders who think they speak for all, well they don't speak for me....on your bike..”
by Desenchanter
Friday, February 10 2012, 9:57AM
“I take it you mean Bath Road Reportage ?
I think that this particular stretch of road 'MIGHT' benefit from a lower limit at certain times like they do with the schools as there is such a high footfall, and people crossing the road randomly, but then the average speed here is always lower because ofthis, and rarely is one able to drive up there at the stated limit so perhaps a bit of a red herring.
I'd be more worried about getting hit by a cyclist than a car as they move silently, and don't always bother to illuminate themselves properly in the dark.”