Council taking fresh look at Stourport speed limit following petition (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Council taking fresh look at Stourport speed limit following petition

7:40am Tuesday 18th September 2012 in News By William Tomaney

FEARS for the safety of children at a Stourport school have prompted more than 250 people to sign a petition calling for a cut in the speed limit on Princess Way.

Resident Ray Kilgour says he took matters into his own hands after concerns expressed by fellow residents and parents seemed to be “going nowhere”.

A county council spokesman said the authority had conducted a review which showed the cost of introducing a new speed limit “would not be justified” but after being handed the petition would take another look at the situation.

Mr Kilgour has collected 260 signatures from residents and parents walking children to St Bartholomew’s Primary School over the last two months.

Mr Kilgour, who has lived on Princess Way for 50 years, said he hoped county highways chiefs would agree to reduce the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph.

“Hearing what people here want was overwhelming,” he said.

“The cars are awful on this road. We will do anything to get something done because I worry someone is going to get killed.”

In March, St Bartholomew’s headteacher, Sue Helps, said she had been pushing for a 20mph speed limit on the road “for years”.

Jon Fraser, county council customer and community manager, said: “We have conducted a thorough review of the traffic speeds and road layout on Princess Way that currently shows low vehicle speeds, particularly at school times.

“We do, however, take the safety of pedestrians very seriously and we will take another look at the situation.

“The council has installed new road markings to emphasise the existing school warning signage and calm traffic.”

Stourport deputy mayor Ken Henderson, who also lives in Princess Way, said the number of signatures collected by Mr Kilgour showed the issue was “a major concern”.

“I am aware of the expense,” he sa id. “ I appreciate what they are saying but when you have children’s lives at risk you cannot look at lack of funding.”

Independent Community and Health Concern councillor Nigel Thomas said: “It is a big issue in this area.

“The residents have complained at numerous PACT meetings and we have had to stand up and be counted and say something has got to be done,” he added.