Plans to reduce speed limits on some Solihull roads receive mixed reaction
Limit changes to more than 100 roads in Solihull have been labelled as ‘total nonsense’ and ‘craziness’ by some residents
Plans to lower the speed limit on over 100 roads in Solihull have been labelled as ‘total nonsense’ and ‘craziness’ by some residents but received high praise from others.
The changes, which have divided opinion in the borough, will be introduced to several Solihull wards and vary in speed. Most notably, permanent 20mph speed limits will now apply to a total of 120 roads in Bickenhill, Blythe, Castle Bromwich, Knowle and Meriden.
A further ten roads around Blythe, Knowle and Earlswood will go from 40mph to 30mph, while another six in Meriden and Elmdon will go from 50mph to 40mph. A full list can be found below.
The sweeping changes were ushered in by Solihull Council last night after a 21-day consultation period with the public. Feedback from residents was mixed as 41 people responded to the plans.
One resident went on a blistering tirade about the 40-30mph changes in Earlswood: “There are nil problems with the current 40 limit on Salter Street and the same goes for Creynolds Lane. The arguments are weak.
“It will impact adversely on vehicle users. Who is going to police it or are cameras proposed too? Total nonsense. Waste of time. What problems are there now? The answer is none. I do not support the proposals at all. Craziness. Nil practical use. A problem that does not exist. Why not ban all motor vehicles from the areas?”
Another was unhappy with the changes in Meriden: “The money spent on this would have been better spent on fixing the numerous potholes in the roads. This scheme is another waste of council taxpayers’ funds.”
Conversely, many responses the council received were in favour of the proposals, particularly for the new 30mph zones. Out of 17 residents, 13 were in favour and only two objected, with two more requesting more information.
The 20mph zones proved more divisive, with 17 in favour and 7 against.
One resident in Knowle said: “I was delighted to learn that the council are finally addressing the speed limit along Warwick Road. It is our opinion that many drivers still think that they are on the M42 and continue to drive at excessive speeds past our house towards the island at Wychwood Avenue roundabout.”
Cllr Kathryn Thomas (Lib Dems, Lyndon) said: “We’ve had a 20mph speed limit put in Lyndon over the last year. Broadly, everyone is quite supportive of it, apart from the fact that very few people adhere to it.
“I think the real challenge once you get them in is how do we get a culture where people actually obey speed limits and treat them seriously.”