Mixed reaction to traffic calming plans (From Witney Gazette)

Mixed reaction to traffic calming plans

9:40am Saturday 17th March 2007 in Witney By Tim Hughes

LANS to slow 'rat-run' traffic through Crawley have received a mixed reaction.

Oxfordshire County Council has unveiled a series of measures to slow down traffic through the village, claiming it is being used by drivers avoiding congestion in nearby Witney.

The plans have been broadly welcomed, but one councillor has opposed the measures, saying they are unnecessary.

Crawley lies north west of Witney, and is used by motorists heading to and from the west of Minster Lovell to the B4022 between Hailey and Charlbury.

Following concerns about safety for pedestrians and other road users, the county council is proposing to extend a 30mph speed limit along Dry Lane, and introduce a proposed traffic-calming scheme.

David Robertson, the council's cabinet member for transport, said: "Problems there are exacerbated by the fact that there are only limited footways. Our aim is simply to slow the speed of traffic approaching the residential and industrial areas of Crawley, and improve safety for everyone."

Rodney Rose, who represents Crawley on the county council, said: "Rat-running is a problem.

"If you stand in the village and see the amount of traffic trying to avoid Witney, you'd be surprised. And it is pretty fast, so traffic-calming is definitely needed.

"These proposals are in response to a request from villagers."

The chairman of the parish council, Colin Dingwall, said: "We do get more traffic than we are due, and some of it is quite fast. It is particularly dangerous in some places, as there are no pavements.

"You've got to keep people's safety in mind. We want to slow traffic down - but don't want huge humps all over the place."

But Steve Hayward, a professional lorry driver, who represents neighbouring Witney West on the council, said: "I drive an articulated lorry up and down that road. You have to drive carefully, but it is perfectly adequate.

"Every road is a rat-run to the people who live there.

"We have this problem right across the county.

"Until they get the roads in Witney sorted out, people will use that road.

"I would not like to see traffic-calming measures on it. Humps don't work, and they are bad for the environment, as vehicles have to slow down and speed up. They are also difficult for our emergency services." He instead called for the construction of a link road between Burford Road and Crawley Road, insisting it would relieve pressure on the village.

Want to comment on the proposals?

People who wish to comment on the proposals should write to the Director for Environment and Economy, c/o Ron Groves House, 23 Oxford Road, Kidlington, OX5 2BP.