7,000 now call for
A third of town have signed petition calling for lower speed limit
ALMOST 7,000 people have now signed a petition for a new speed limit to be imposed in Leek.
A petition of more than 4,000 was presented to Staffordshire County Council in February. Now, a further petition with additional signatures is to be presented to the county council tomorrow, March 17.
The petition has been organised by Leek resident Roger Warrillow.
Mr Warrillow said: “The petition for a 20mph speed limit is for people’s health and safety in Leek town centre.
“With the help of Maureen Motum, a past mayor of Leek Town Council and chairman of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, the petition was displayed on her stall ‘Pins and Needles’ in the indoor market.
“Charlotte Atkins, our respected Staffordshire Moorlands District councillor, will be delivering 2,5003,000 signatures to a full county
council meeting and this brings the total petition signatures to between 6,500-7,000.”
Councillor Atkins, opposition leader on Staffordshire County Council, said: “I am delighted to be
presenting this petition to the county council.
“There is an urgent need for better pedestrian safety measures in Leek.
“Safe pedestrian crossings and lower speed limits have long been promised but not delivered.
“There are detailed existing plans to improve St Edward Street with a 20mph speed limit and the introduction of both controlled and uncontrolled pedestrian crossings.
“But there is no starting date for these improvements because, as usual, no money has yet been allocated.
“I am grateful to Roger Warrillow and all those who signed the petition for helping me put pressure on the county council to take urgent action.”
Mr Warrillow is hoping to speak on Leek’s behalf for the safety of pedestrians to the full council later in May.
He added: “I will bring to the attention of Staffordshire County Council that since the removal of the safe and efficient roundabout 10 years ago, situated at the entrance to Derby Street, there have been accidents, more pollution and traffic hold-ups.
“Sainsbury’s money was invested in the removal of Leek’s iconic floral roundabout and there was a 106 agreement implemented to reorganise traffic at the top of St Edward Street on and off the Macclesfield road.
“This agreement was broken and put on hold by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Staffordshire County Highways and a camera erected for extra information.
“A decade later still nothing done and pedestrian crossings in the wrong places and no crossing in St Edward Street from High Street.
“Surely, the least the County Council Highways can do for the safety of Leek’s pedestrians is to slow traffic to 20mph to safeguard and secure a safer environment for all ages.
“The Leek petition hopes to spearhead the campaign, 20’s plenty for us on residential streets and in town and village centres.”