"Speed calming survey results in" - Barnett

12.00.00am GMT Thu 22nd Feb 2007

Clay Hill residents are questioning if speed humps are the best way to calm traffic

Clay Hill Councillor Phil Barnett has reported back with the results of a traffic calming survey he recently carried out in the Turnpike and Kiln Roads area of Newbury. After gathering responses from 192 households who are affected by the traffic situation in this part of Clay Hill, Councillor Barnett also received an additional 45 emails, numerous phone calls and various other correspondences.

Summarising his findings, Councillor Barnett commented:

"A significant proportion of all those who responded were in favour of speed calming in one form or another along both Turnpike and Kiln Roads. There seems to be some debate over whether speed humps is the best way to calm traffic - a good number of households wanted them taken out altogether. Speed Indication Devices (SIDs) seemed to be a popular option and I will of course be following this up with the Council's highways department."

Councillor Barnett also identified a local concern about HGVs using the roads in the area. He outlined the problem:

"Heavy lorries using this route cause noise and congestion problems for local residents. 98 Clay Hill residents have signed a petition which I will be bringing to the next Newbury Area Forum calling for West Berkshire Council to take action NOW, asking for a restriction to be implemented to prevent HGV vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes using these roads except for access."