Success for campaigners as speed restrictions implemented

3.11.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 5th Oct 2009

Liz Leffman and the local Lib Dems have learned that Hampshire County Council have finally agreed to implement safety measures to stop speeding on Yew Tree Drive, close to Whiteley Primary School, following a long campaign and evidence from a vehicle activated speed detector.

For years, HCC have ignored pleas from local residents to do something to slow traffic where children cross the road to go to the primary school. In March 2009, Lib Dem Cllr Vivian Achwal persuaded Winchester City Council to erect the temporary speed detector. The council was amazed to find that in a two week period 23,352 motorists broke the speed limit.

The story was taken up by local and national papers, and HCC has now come up with a plan to deter speeding motorists. The scheme will include an extended buff coloured high friction surface 80 metres long on Yew Tree Drive from Gull Coppice crossing towards Rookery Avenue to deter speed, new 30 mph road markings and new 'school ahead' signs on the side of the road. The work will be carried out during the February half-term.

Liz Leffman said "I am delighted that we have finally persuaded HCC to take this matter seriously. I've seen how fast cars travel on this road, and it can often be very difficult for parents and children to cross in the rush hour. It's great that so many children in Whiteley already walk to school and I hope that others will be encouraged to allow their children to cross the road once the safety measures are in place"