Traffic calming measures – just cosmetic fun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The triangular brick traffic calming measures along the new sections of Dennett Close Road & Blake Close where originally set in place nicely and their levels were adequate to prevent cars travelling at speed along these new roads. However, once the tarmac surfaces were put in place, these calming features became ill-effective because their levels became the same as the surrounding road surface. Therefore they are just cosmetic and provide no useful purpose.

I brought this important point to the attention of Andrew Gregory, Head of Development Management and Regeneration at Nottingham City Council.

In response Mr Gregory said: “Your letter outlines concerns you have about the safety of the road proposed as part of Asra’s development [in Limmen Gardens]. These stem from concerns you have regarding the new roads that has been constructed on Blake Close/Dennett Close. I have spoken to our Highways team and have been informed that the road has been constructed in accordance with the approved design and has been through a full technical approval process, including 2 Road Safety Audits to date, the findings from which helped inform the final approved design. The height and format of the features is for a visual and textural contrast, but due to the number and spacing of driveways these had to be kept low to not prohibit access or manoeuvres into/out of drives.

“The proposed access road to be constructed on in Limmen Gardens will be of a similar design to previous phases, but of course takes the form of a cull de sac arrangement, and therefore the amount of traffic using it will be limited. This new road will have a raised build out at its entrance to reduce its width, however as with previous phases any further feature within the road layout will need to be kept low to allow residents to enter and exit their drives.”

In my opinion these so called traffic calming measures provide no useful purpose whatsoever and will remain ill-effective. It is a shame because the Stonebridge Park scheme has proved very popular with all the new residents who have moved onto the Stonebridge Park Estate in recent months, and their children are at risk of injury from fast moving vehicles.

By Richard Pearson