Castle Mead Residents' Blog

There are three national speed limits set by the UK Government:   30 mph on lit roads (sometimes referred to as Restricted Roads) 60 mph on single carriageways 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways  Local authorities can, at their discretion, set road speed limits at 20mph, 40mph and 50mph, as they see fit. Wiltshire residents' experience of local Highways' discretionary setting of speed limits is one of totally inconsistent speeds being set all over the county, including many changes in speed along one stretch of road. This leads to motorists ignoring the lower speed limits and continuing to drive at the higher speed along the same stretch of road. As the level of policing on our roads and the number of working speed cameras further diminish, it is even more vital for Wiltshire Council to set speed limits responsibly, and to listen to residents' concerns when they are not. The government's drive to reduce road accidents (vehicle and pedestri...

The head of Wiltshire Council did not respond to our correspondense, so we were left with no option but to start a petition. Copy of the e-petition with 38degrees below... LEAP GATE PETITION - KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE To: Baroness Jane Scott - Wiltshire Council We ask Wiltshire Council to lower the speed limit on the newly-opened section of Leap Gate, to put into effect traffic-calming measures and to stop actively promoting the use of this road as a bypass for all local traffic, especially HGVs. Why is this important? Leap Gate runs through two densely-populated family estates, Castle Mead and Paxcroft Mead, which are served by two primary schools. Since the new stretch of Leap Gate opened in June, HGVs, cars and motor bikes constantly exceed speed limits, putting the lives of residents and their children in danger. Motorists also regularly run the red lights at the Castle Mead pedestrian crossing, endangering the lives of those using it, most vulnerable of whom are childr...

Since Wiltshire Council opened the remaining stretch of Leap Gate in June 2016, it has become increasingly dangerous for everyone, especially for our children and the elderly. Residents who have lived along the 30mph stretch of Leap Gate from Green Lane to the roundabout for more than two years have noticed that both vehicle speeds and the volume of traffic have increased. This makes crossing the road very dangerous for pedestrians and difficult for motorists coming out of the side roads. The pedestrian crossing sited near the roundabout should provide a safe place for parents and their children to cross, going to and from school, but there have been a number of incidences where speeding cars and HGVs have run the red lights at the crossing, nearly running them over. This is because vehicles are not slowing down to 30mph from the 50mph stretch of Leap Gate. We are calling for Wiltshire Council to extend the 30mph zone in line with housing along Leap Gate and to lower the 50mph...