Where should we have 20mph zones in Cheadle & Gatley
May 16, 2010 Iain Roberts 6 Comments

A couple of months ago, the Government advice on 20mph zones changed to make it easier (and cheaper) to implement them.

I’d like to have a look at Cheadle & Gatley and see where it would help to have 20mph zones implemented – I’d like your thoughts on what we should do.

How they work

A 20mph zone typically has signs on posts and marks on the road to remind people.  It need not have physical traffic calming (e.g. road humps).  The police generally don’t enforce 20mph zones, but research and our experience suggests they do reduce speeds significantly.

Where the average speed of traffic is around 30mph, just having a 20mph zone can cut it by 6-7mph.  That doesn’t mean everyone drives slowly, of course, but it does seem to genuinely improve the situation.

What should we do?

My feeling is that we should have more 20mph zones.  At the moment, the default speed limit along residential streets is 30mph – I’d like to see that default reduced to 20mph and then keep it at 30 only where there’s a good reason to do so.

What do you think?  Should we have a broad 20mph limit across most residential streets; or some smaller areas at 20mph, or perhaps the limit should stay at 30mph.  Let me know.

streets, transport

6 Comments

1
Richard Lloyd
Monday 17 May 2010 - 11:48 am

20 mph should be imposed on Marrick Avenue, Cheadle, SK8 1QQ. This road is used as a rat run for people trying to beat the queues for Gatley lights, with them getting up to 40mph.

2
Alan. Gent
Monday 17 May 2010 - 12:06 pm

Iain a good move but should theynot also be monitored in some way? We still see cars travelling at 50 mph down High Grove Rd. What’s the view on installing permanent speed cams to enforce the limit AND recoup the council’s costs?

3
Estelle Weiner
Monday 17 May 2010 - 12:28 pm

I’d rather see better enforcement of parking on yellow lines around the centre of the village. We are lucky to have decent parking in Cheadle – probably the cheapest in our urban area. At £0.30 I’ll pay even if I am going to be only a few minutes. But blatantly ignoring the lines near the lights by the post office reduces the lanes going left and right at the lights, down to just one, and the same thing happens in the side streets off the the High Street.

4
David Johnson
Wednesday 19 May 2010 - 7:28 am

We live in the “if I can get away with it” society. The law applies if caught and if convicted! Most are moral and resist this philosophy but its the ones who apply it that maim and injure and steal. They will only change when caught and punished. More signs won’t affect their actions – only enforcement by the forces of law. Yes please limit Church Street, Gatley to 20 mph and with more than signs.

5
David Williams
Monday 24 May 2010 - 5:13 pm

Hi Iain,

Firstly, congratulations on your election. You put much work in and I’m sure Cheadle and Gatley residents will benefit from your dedication.

As for the 20mph zones, you already have a copy of our recommendations sent to Graham Price re illegal parking on Coniston Road, Brogden and Brentwood with 80% residents agreeing on a way forward.

As I said in a private email to you, a 20mph zone for the South Park Road residential estate will be most welcome. The A34 cut-through sees many motorists speeding along Mardale, Southpark and Coniston Road in their half mile detour just in case police set up an adhoc enforcement campaign. South Park Road, is crying out for regulated speed control and from residents I have already consulted in respect of illegal parking issues, many raised concerns re speeding. As you will appreciate, Graham Price consulted re parking regs on Coniston Road and so we the residents have restricted our responses to parking. So from my perspective, the South Park Road estate would benefit from a 20 mph zone and I suspect would be welcome by residents. Sleeping policemen would be challenged as from a residents and professional perspective, they pose more problems than benefits!

Kind regards,

David

6
jean skitt
Wednesday 2 June 2010 - 4:18 pm

I for one and I am not alone would welcome a 20mph limit on Pendlebury Road – the speed some motorists drive down Pendlebury from the top( Savile Rd end ) is disgusting . Kind Regards Jean



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