Speeding drivers targeted in west Reading
Residents asked for views on 20 mph limits
West Reading councillors are asking residents to express their view on speed limits in residential streets off Oxford Road between Reading West Station and Norcot Roundabout.
The area we are looking is bounded to the north by Portman Road; to the south by Tilehurst Road; to the east by Western Elms Avenue; and to the west by the Dee Road Estate, which is already a 20mph zone.
Oxford Road, Portman Road and Tilehurst would stay 30mph.
Currently the limit in this area is 30mph except for sections of individual streets near to schools.
Norcot Ward councillor Jo Lovelock said councillors get many requests from residents to introduce a 20mph speed limit in the area.
She added:
“We think it is important to seek all residents’ views on the need to introduce the lower speed limit.
“We are also asking people if the power to take enforcement action should be transferred from the police to the council – the police readily admit that they don’t have the resources to prioritise speeding offences.”
And Battle Ward councillor Gul Khan added:
“Residents are always raising concern at the dangerous speeds of some drivers, especially those using the side streets as a “rat run” to avoid traffic on the main through routes.
“We hope as many people as possible will fill out the survey so we can judge the level of community support for any scheme.”
Residents can respond to the survey at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/P3P57DQ or contact councillors directly by phone or email.
The survey will run until the end of January and councillors will then ask RBC’s Traffic Management sub-committee to respond to the survey’s findings at its March meeting.