Brancepeth residents celebrate 30mph speed restriction
Oct 21 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal
VILLAGERS are celebrating victory in a long-running campaign to have a speed limit reduced to 30 mph.
Police enforcement begins this week of the new 30mph speed limit through the village of Brancepeth, west of Durham.
The restriction comes into place following a long campaign by local residents, who felt the previous limit of 40mph was too high and contributed to road traffic collisions.
The campaign gained momentum following the death of pensioner Ellen Hendry, 81, in November last year.
Mrs Hendry was knocked down as she crossed the A690 which runs through Brancepeth, although an inquest later found that speed was not a contributing factor towards her death.
But earlier this year Durham County Council indicated it would agree to requests for the speeding threshold to be cut. And motorists are being warned police will enforce the new limit with immediate effect, issuing fixed penalty tickets or pursuing prosecutions depending on the level of the offence.
Residents had voiced their concerns the busy east/west route between Durham City and the western side of the county split the community in two, with many people needing to cross the road to use local facilities.
Given the volume and speed of vehicles this made it difficult for many pedestrians to cross the road and increased their feelings of vulnerability. Concerns were also expressed in relation to difficulties when executing turning manoeuvres at the crossroads in Brancepeth due to the approach speeds on the A690.
County councillor Bob Young said: “We have worked very closely with residents and local groups in Brancepeth to come up with a thorough programme of improvements that will make Brancepeth a safer place for both pedestrians and road users.
“We have carried out a comprehensive programme very quickly which includes extensive high-visibility road markings and high profile signage highlighting the new reduced speed limit. Public safety is a high priority for the council and we urge drivers to stick to the new limits or face the consequences.”
Temporary Supt Andy Huddleston, head of Durham Constabulary’s operations department, said his officers would be making regular patrols through Brancepeth to reinforce the change.
“The introduction of the new speed limit has been well-publicised and the relevant roadsigns have been installed. Drivers should be aware our officers will be checking the route on a regular basis to ensure compliance.”
Major John Jackson, chairman of Brancepeth Parish Council, said: “After so many years of battling for this speed limit we feel that, provided it is enforced by the police, Brancepeth will be a safer place.
“It is unfortunate it has taken so long for the 30mph limit to be installed. During that time a death has occurred on the A690. The resulting inquest produced the fact the then 40mph limit was unenforceable.
“It was necessary for the Parish Council to petition Parliament and for our MP, Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods, to take up the case for the reduced speed limit. But the outcome is very satisfactory – provided that the new speed limit can be enforced by the police,” he added.
