There has been a lot of discussion in recent weeks about the merit  vs. noise nuisance of the speed bumps on Alkerton Road.  The Parish Council has been dealing with Gloucestershire Highways looking at ways the speed bumps could be improved or removed and replaced with a different traffic calming scheme.  

The speed bumps have now been re-instated with reduced dimensions.   We  received the following response  from our Local Highways Manager which we’d like to share with you all so that everyone understands the situation  :-

“The options we have considered include not replacing the cushions at all, replacing with a different type of traffic calming measures (not a physical/vertical traffic calming feature) and amend the design and/or dimensions of the cushions.
I will first outline the processes for the installation of the cushions in the first instance and then the issues and thinking behind our decision; this matter has been discussed with our Improvements team and my line manager so that we have a comprehensive and consistent message for the parish and residents.

• The speed cushions were originally installed following the statutory process that includes public consultation with residents, the parish council and the emergency services.  This consultation explicitly detailed the type of traffic calming, the fact that there would be a pair of speed cushions, the location of each pair of cushions and the dimensions of the cushions.
• Any variation in the design and arrangement of the traffic calming scheme that has been legally advertised would have to be very carefully considered.  We do not appear to have a precedent in terms of the legal process for the removal of traffic calming, but any such a process would have to be thorough and comprehensive.  It would involve officer time from GCC and Amey to carry out public consultation and design work for alternative measures, which would of course come at a cost of around £5k.
• GCC has to carefully consider the case for the removal of the cushions, at present the reasons for not reinstating them is due to the reported noise and vibration from vehicles passing the cushions.  A local survey of frontages has shown support for their removal, but there are also local enquiries as to when the cushions are due to be reinstated as they want the measures reinstated as there is some support for them.    Clearly the experience and the opinions of those people who front the road need to be considered, equally it needs to be understood that the wider public, that is anyone who uses the highway, have a stake in the traffic calming measures here.
• The cushions were installed in the first instance as a safety and traffic calming measure, data that has already been supplied to the parish council that shows that traffic speeds have decreased since installation and there have been no recorded injury accidents since.  The set of cushions in question are the ones closest to the shops, pub and roundabout, the hub of the village, where there are a concentrated number of pedestrian movements, it has been mentioned that in safety terms these are probably the most important pair of cushions for Alkerton Road.

Having considered the pros and cons of the cushions it remains that GCCs position is that the cushions should be reinstated.  However we are prepared to reinstate them with reduced dimensions, so that they are slightly narrower and not as high.  It is felt that no cushions or a radically different traffic calming feature would not be appropriate.

As the highway authority we have to seriously consider the safety of persons using the highway.  As we have data that shows that a traffic calming scheme has been successful in reducing vehicle speeds and since its introduction there have been no recorded injury collisions, it would be remiss of us to pursue the lessening of that safety scheme.   In the event that the speed cushions in question were removed and then an accident were to occur in proximity to that site, there would be serious questions asked about the Council and officers involved about that decision, especially in light of the data we have on speeds and accident.

I appreciate that some people will be disappointed with this decision, but I trust I have sufficiently outlined how this decision has been made.”

The Parish Council understands that this response will be disappointing to some parishioners and we welcome thoughts and views at upcoming meetings.