Trial run of 20mph limit for main road
Whole street inclusion call
Bridge of Allan councillors have welcomed plans to introduce an ‘experimental’ 20mph speed limit in the town’s Henderson Street.
But they feel that the proposals do not go far enough.
Councillors have been lobbying for the speed restriction on the town’s main street for a number of years. A survey conducted by Stirling Council over a week in April 2018 showed that more than two-thirds of traffic travelling east and west on Henderson Street exceeded the speed limit during 24-hour periods.
It emerged recently that council officials are proposing a 20mph restriction on Henderson Street between the Blairforkie
Drive junction and Melville Place.
But councillors Douglas Dodds and Alasdair Tollemache wish to see 20mph imposed across the length of Henderson Street from Lecropt as far as the Keir Street junction.
Councillor Tollemache said this week: “The proposed speed limit of 20mph on Henderson Street from the Blairforkie junction to Melville Place and the installation of pedestrian crossings will be welcomed as positive first measures in reducing the speeding that is taking place on Henderson Street. However, we feel that the restriction should apply to the whole length of Henderson Street.”
Councillors Dodds and Tollemache also expressed disappointment at the way the proposal was communicated by officials - via email in response to a resident’s enquiry.
Councillor Tollemache added: “We understand that we live in unusual times and normal consultation processes may not be possible. However, we are very concerned on how news of the council’s proposed changes have become known, via an email to a member of the public, and not before prior knowledge to councillors and the community council. It is essential that the roles of the councillors and the community council are respected.
“We have taken up our concerns with officers and call now for the proposals in full to be made public so that this can inform the community council meeting (via Zoom).”
The meeting was due to take place last night (Tuesday).
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “The details of a proposed 20mph zone in Henderson Street have been under consideration for some time. Details are being developed by council officers. Once the draft proposals have been finalised, they will be shared with local elected members, the community council and businesses for comment.”
■The survey carried out in 2018 found that on Wednesday, April 18 a total of 14,118 vehicles travelled on Henderson Street with 10,301 (73 per cent) speeding; on Thursday, April 19 there were 14,579 vehicles with 10,190 speeding (69.9 per cent) and Friday April 20 14,574 with 10,741 (73.7 per cent) speeding..
The figures were of similar proportions at the weekend with 11,983 vehicles using the road on Saturday, April 21 and 9127 speeding (76.2 per cent) and 9414 on Sunday, April 22 with 7003 speeding (74.4 per cent).