Slow progress for Stourbridge speed campaign (From Stourbridge News)

Slow progress for Stourbridge speed campaign

4:24pm Tuesday 22nd January 2008 in Local By Martyn Smith

COUNCIL officers have been told to do extra homework on a report about speed limits in Stourbridge's Old Quarter.

The call for more details came at the end of a debate by the town's area committee on demands for a cut in maximum limits in the area from 30 to 20mph.

At a meeting on Monday January 21 committee member cllr Malcolm Knowles, who is leading the campaign for a reduction in limits, critisised officer's investigations into traffic movements in the area.

Cllr Knowles said: "Officers and councillors have two different aspects to cover, I have a quarrel with the way this has been done.

"It has taken 18 months to bring this report to area committee and it dismisses the idea out of hand."

Supporters of a cut argue streets in the area, which is located to the west of the town centre, are too narrow for cars to travel at 30mph and even an advisory limit would help reduce driver's speed.

Council officers say the accident rate in the area is low and traffic calming measures could not be justified.

Although the committee has no powers to impose limits, a recommendation supporting a cut would be a major boost to the resident's campaign which takes inspiration from other successful schemes in towns around the UK, particularly Portsmouth.

Cllr Adrian Turner, a qualified driving instructor, said: "In other areas a 20mph limits do work to make areas safer.

"In Wheeler Street people driving at 30 are driving dangerously."

The committee agreed to await a further report, a decision which left cllr Knowles satisfied for the time being.

Cllr Knowles said: "It was the best we could do, we did the right thing asking for more information and I remain hopeful it will happen.

"I am just disappointed it takes so long, but I am an impatient person by nature."