SUMMARY

  Members of the Upper Slaughter Parish Council and residents of the village of Upper Slaughter shared concerns about the speed and volume of vehicles, both motor cars and heavy good vehicles, along the road known locally as Buckle Street that runs between the A429 at Bourton-on-the-Water and the B 4077. In particular they were very concerned about the safety of children attending the Stepping Stones Nursery at Manor Farm Buildings. In order to support their case for a reduced speed limit to be introduced along the road in front of the school, the Parish Council undertook a traffic survey in accordance with Gloucestershire County Council Road Safety Unit guidelines.

  Traffic was monitored from four separate locations in the vicinity of Manor Farm Buildings during peak and off-peak periods, between 2 August and 14 August 2005. Nearly 4,000 readings were taken by volunteers from the village and the Parish Council and the data collected was analysed by location and time.

  The Parish Council resolved at their meeting in September 2005 that the results of the survey should be forwarded to the Gloucestershire County Council Road Safety Unit with the strong recommendation that the speed limit along part of Buckle Street should be reduced to a maximum of 40 miles per hour. The reasons for the recommendation were as follows:

—  The survey found that overall, at least 85% of drivers were travelling at or less than 43/44 miles per hour, indicating a maximum safe speed for that stretch of road. This measurement ranged from 41/42 to 47/48 miles per hour depending on the location monitored. All were considerably less than the existing 60 mile per hour limit along Buckle Street.

—  In the vicinity of Manor Farm Buildings, the road is lined with overhanging trees which result in reduced light levels and visibility. Although no problems were noted during the survey, the maximum safe speed may be further reduced during the winter months.

—  Therefore, to ensure the safety of children, parents and staff using the Stepping Stones Nursery situated within Manor Farm buildings, the speed limit along Buckle Street past the nursery should be reduced.

—  A reduced speed limit would also enhance the safety of those using the commercial premises which share the same entrance as the nursery school, as well as those using the residential accesses along this stretch of road.

—  Existing signage could be improved and any signs indicating a new speed limit should be linked to existing school signs so that drivers understand the reason for the reduced speed.

—  Councillors recommended that a reduced speed limit should be imposed along Buckle Street between specific sections of the road marked on a map.

  It should be added that the residents of Upper Slaughter continue to be fully supportive of this Parish Council initiative. Some of them have children at the school and all of them use Buckle Street regularly.

  The owner of Stepping Stones Nursery School and the Managing Director of Huntsman's Quarries both attended a Parish Council meeting to discuss this matter and fully supported the recommendation to reduce the speed limit to 40 mph along this stretch of Buckle Street. Parents of children at the school also supported the recommendation.

  Subsequently the Parish Council received notification via Gloucestershire County Council that the Traffic Management Inspector of Gloucestershire Constabulary was unable to consider the recommendation for the following reasons:

"I firmly believe that this is an unrealistic request . . . as drivers would fail miserably to appreciate a 40 mph limit . . This would devalue other limits and cause this limit to be ignored and abused . . . I would suggest that . . . it would be a waste of time and important money on installing a 40 mph limit for which there is no reason, basis or evidence. The police would have difficulty in enforcing this stretch . . . I can confirm that we the police would not support such a proposal".

CONCLUSION

  It appears from the letter received from the police that even a well researched, well supported case with upfront guidance and input from the County Road Safety Unit is not enough to ensure that a reduced speed limit can be introduced to protect children at a nursery school. The Parish Council was very disappointed in the decision and will consider further action to get their recommendation implemented.

  In answer to the question posed by the Press Notice "How effective and how efficient is roads policing in reducing the number or road casualties? Are police forces concentrating traffic enforcement on the right areas and activities to achieve maximum casualty reduction?" the Parish Council would have to answer that the police have not taken the opportunity to prevent a potentially nasty, even fatal accident from taking place by means of intelligent speed adaptation in a specific location for very important reasons.

15 February 2006