25 signatures reached
To: Kent County Council
Reading Street Road speed consultation
Consider reducing the speed limit on Reading Street Road from 60 mph to 40 mph, extend the 30 mph until the housing has finished (at the Broadstairs end) and consider some enforcement option (e.g. speed camera or humps)
Why is this important?
I wish to raise the issue of the speed limit on Reading Street Road, and the increasing problem of motorists seeing the stretch as opportunity to break the law. I have lived on this road for five years and have observed the problem get worse and worse, and I truly believe that there is a risk to life because the current restrictions do not adequately recognise the housing and foot traffic along this route, or sufficiently deter reckless joy-riders.
At present, as a motorist turns on to Reading Street Road, they are met by a national speed limit sign within 50 yards - something of an invitation - and before the housing has finished. Ahead is a stretch of straight road which disappears into tree filled hedges, with little visibility. There is a trend amongst some drivers to accelerate aggressively along the stretch of housing, heading in the Margate direction, in order to reach maximum speeds on a stretch that has evidently earned itself a reputation as a good spot to take such risks.
In the opposite direction the problem is even worse: motorists accelerate up the stretch towards Broadstairs, often unaware of the housing and junction that await further on.
This behaviour puts at risk the safety of:
+ The residents of the homes on Reading Street Rd, including children who play on the pavements, incl bike riding, scooters and skateboards
+ Those who walk to and from the allotments, sited just beyond the houses
+ The large community of walkers and dog walkers, who routinely use the public footpaths in the fields on either sides of the road (and which cross mid way down Reading Street Rd), as well as the less official routes which are long established around the neighbouring fields.
+ Bike riders, many of whom are children and tourists, and unaware of the dangers
+ Horse riders, who are commonly on this route, coming from the stables at Elmswood Farm Riding Centre - the majority of whom are children.
An accident is waiting to happen and three important changes should be considered:
+ The change of speed restriction should be moved further down the road, to where the housing and allotments have finished.
+ The above speed limit should be changed from 60 mph to 40 mph.
+ A speed camera, or similar, should be installed to tackle those who continue to ignore speed limits and put lives at risk.
The similar stretch along Green Lane, which runs almost parallel to Reading Street Road, on the other side of the field, has a 30 mph limit for the entire stretch, despite housing levels being as low. Furthermore, the speed limit is enforced with a speed camera, something that, given the evident circuit that has been adopted by speeding motorists, actually exacerbates the issue of Reading Street Road.
Injury, or loss of life, seems highly likely on this stretch of road. This should not be the catalyst for action: the council needs to respond now to protect the public.
At present, as a motorist turns on to Reading Street Road, they are met by a national speed limit sign within 50 yards - something of an invitation - and before the housing has finished. Ahead is a stretch of straight road which disappears into tree filled hedges, with little visibility. There is a trend amongst some drivers to accelerate aggressively along the stretch of housing, heading in the Margate direction, in order to reach maximum speeds on a stretch that has evidently earned itself a reputation as a good spot to take such risks.
In the opposite direction the problem is even worse: motorists accelerate up the stretch towards Broadstairs, often unaware of the housing and junction that await further on.
This behaviour puts at risk the safety of:
+ The residents of the homes on Reading Street Rd, including children who play on the pavements, incl bike riding, scooters and skateboards
+ Those who walk to and from the allotments, sited just beyond the houses
+ The large community of walkers and dog walkers, who routinely use the public footpaths in the fields on either sides of the road (and which cross mid way down Reading Street Rd), as well as the less official routes which are long established around the neighbouring fields.
+ Bike riders, many of whom are children and tourists, and unaware of the dangers
+ Horse riders, who are commonly on this route, coming from the stables at Elmswood Farm Riding Centre - the majority of whom are children.
An accident is waiting to happen and three important changes should be considered:
+ The change of speed restriction should be moved further down the road, to where the housing and allotments have finished.
+ The above speed limit should be changed from 60 mph to 40 mph.
+ A speed camera, or similar, should be installed to tackle those who continue to ignore speed limits and put lives at risk.
The similar stretch along Green Lane, which runs almost parallel to Reading Street Road, on the other side of the field, has a 30 mph limit for the entire stretch, despite housing levels being as low. Furthermore, the speed limit is enforced with a speed camera, something that, given the evident circuit that has been adopted by speeding motorists, actually exacerbates the issue of Reading Street Road.
Injury, or loss of life, seems highly likely on this stretch of road. This should not be the catalyst for action: the council needs to respond now to protect the public.
