Lee’s new Green Councillor Laura Sessions is to raise the issue of speeding vehicles in the Conservation area.
Residents have been complaining about drivers breaking the 20 mph speed limit for many years, but say neither the police nor the Council have responded.
Peter Knight of Micheldever Road said “I’ve tried multiple times emailing about speeding to council officials, councillors and the police speed watch people, suggesting low cost ways to address it. I’ve never managed to get any concrete action, except the 20 roundels painted on the road.”
Cllr Sessions told the Lee Manor Society: “I completely agree it is an issue. The area has a high volume of traffic given the size of many of the streets. I am happy to raise it with Cllr Corin Ashwell, the cabinet member for transport and the environment and officers to discuss what could be done to reduce speeding in the area. “
The residents’ campaign was given extra impetus after the death of a 16 year old boy hit by a car on Manor Lane in July. An 18-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of dangerous driving and drug driving.
Peter Knight has repeatedly suggested options for addressing the problem including chicanes, road narrowing and police speed checks.
Although the police occasionally mount radar checks on main roads – this one was spotted on Burnt Ash Road in April – they don’t operate them on side roads. At one time volunteers were able to join radar patrols in the area, but speeding drivers who were caught were only sent warning letters and not fined.