Speed-hit villages support bypass proposals
HUNDREDS of residents in a ratrun plagued village have called for a bypass to divert speeding drivers.
A traffic survey in Sharnford, launched by Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire, revealed 95% of people in the village believed through traffic was both unacceptable and unsafe.
And 87% supported bypass options, either south with direct access to the M69 or between the B4669 junction and A5 Smockington Hollow.
The village will get a speed camera this year as part of a £500,000 Leicestershire County Council pilot project to cut dangerous driving on rural roads.
During one traffic monitoring event last October a vehicle was clocked at a horrifying 109mph through the village.
Village traffic safety lobby organisation the Sharnford Traffic Action Group (STAG) was set up to push for action.
Following discussions with Leicestershire County Council and STAG, Mr Costa wrote to all residents earlier this year asking for their views and opinions on the traffic issues.
More than 400 residents responded, a participation rate of 57%, which in comparison to other surveys of a similar size is seen as particularly high.
Mr Costa said: “I was delighted with the incredible response to my survey earlier this year and I am very grateful to the people of Sharnford for taking the time to respond to me. The excellent response rate clearly shows the strength of feeling from residents in the village and so I am very pleased to be able to write back to my constituents not only to thank them, but most importantly, to feedback the survey results and to share with them the plans to move forward.”
Most villagers opted to support the introduction of a 20mph speed limit alongside average speed cameras, should a bypass not be viable while the installation of safety kerbs along the narrowest stretch of the B4114 through the village was seen as the preferred way to improve pedestrian safety.
Michael Lee from STAG said: “Many thanks to STAG volunteers and a true team effort by Leicestershire County Council and our MP, Alberto Costa. Sharnford will be a vastly safer, quieter and cleaner village to live in.”
The letters of thanks and full results of the traffic survey have been sent out to the community.