Call to tackle speeding in Earley

A CALL to tackle speeding in Earley was made by a Lib Dem candidate, who says that drivers are regularly doing more than 35mph in 30mph zones.

Wes Budd, who is standing in Hillside ward, said that speeding motorists made it dangerous for vehicles entering from side streets, school children and elderly residents.

He said that Earley Town Council had raised this in July last year, calling for the borough council to install appropriate warning warns at the Elm Lane and Beech Lane ends of

Redhatch Drive.

“(Earley Town Council) requests WBC highways engineers investigate possibilities for traffic calming measures, such as chicanes and rumble strips,” he said, asking if this could be supported by the borough council.

Responding was Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, the executive member for highways and transport and also a Conservative candidate for the same ward as Mr Budd.

“Despite common perceptions, the road has a very good safety record, with only one personal injury collision recorded by police over the past decade,” she said, adding that data collected showed that motorists are ‘broadly complaint’ with the existing 30mph.

“In the section between Wychwood Crescent and Collins Drive,

85%ile speeds are in excess of the level normally used by Thames Valley Police for speed enforcement purposes and the likelihood of speeds higher than this occurring at times is acknowledged,” she said.

This meant that the council had added Redhatch Drive to a safety campaign.

If this had no effect, Cllr Jorgensen said that council officers will investigate speed management measures.