HEATH AND REACH PARISH COUNCIL TRAFFIC SURVEY Q&A
Thank you to all who have responded to the poll we are currently running on the PC website. The poll is still live, so if you haven’t yet done so, please contribute. These questions and answers here are not directly connected to the results we currently have. With over 150 responses so far and many questions on them and social media, I have yet to reply to all, so this is a reply to common queries.
The Freedom of Information report is dated September 2019?
The report was obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request to Bedfordshire Police who had not publicly released it. The speeds referred to are pre-lock down but with traffic back to normal levels it retains its validity.
How can you validate the speeds given?
The speeds contained within the report are validated by Bedfordshire Police, using high tech surveying equipment. These are their figures. The equipment was at two locations, opposite the ‘Axe & Compass PH’ and opposite the ‘Heath Inn PH’ for one week in September. It is sensitive enough to even identify the types of vehicles going past. 20% of all vehicles are not complying with the speed limit.
Why are the smiley faces not working anymore?
The SIDs (speed information displays) were purchased by the Parish Council some years ago. They were provided by a company called Thermotor, which has since gone bust. The PC cannot obtain spares, servicing, or calibration for these devices.
The crossing is dangerous and is no longer clearly marked.
Any apparent defect with road structures, markings and furniture can be reported on the Fixmystreet.com app, on their website. The PC has no control over these Highway issues.
Why is the PC doing nothing?
With the lack of apparent action, it is easy to believe this is the case. However, PC minutes show that a considerable amount of work has been going on behind the scenes. This poll is part of that process. Previous interventions by the PC led to the introduction of the crossings, and the speed humps. Traffic speeds through the village remain a key concern to the PC as to many villagers.
What’s the hold up?
Despite pressure from the PC and your local councillor, the decision to implement any scheme is ultimately in the hands of Central Bedfordshire Council’s highways department. A site visit was conducted in December 2019. We were promised a provisional scheme by CBC in March 2020 when of course the pandemic hit. We are still waiting.
Why can’t we have a 20mph limit?
Such a scheme would need to be supported by traffic calming and enforcement. Neither the Police or CBC are in favour of such a proposal.
Surely, it’s just a question of buying cameras?
PC can buy the cameras. The installation and type approval must be done by CBC Highways. The enforcement must be run by Bedfordshire Police. The Police will not allow us access to the back-office support we need to run them.
Will I get to see any proposed changes?
Yes. Any changes need to be completed through the normal planning process, so must be made public before implemented.
We need a 7.5tonne limit?
This is decided by Highways, who will shortly be receiving the poll results. You can continue the pressure by reporting through the recently circulated email address to CBC direct. The village needs to be aware that any such restriction will have the ‘access only’ caveat otherwise local deliveries cannot happen. It may not be a total panacea.
What happens next?
The PC will continue to provide your local councillor, Mark Versallion, with all the information collected. Whilst we have spoken directly to CBC Highways, and the Police, the correct channels must be followed.
Cllr. Martin Boyden
27th September 2021
How to report an HGV going through the village
If you can, please email the report to: Rebecca.clark@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk with as much of the following information as possible:
* Name of company:
* Registration number:
* Date and time:
* Location:
