20mph zone questionnaire
From the end of May until the 8th of July, you’ve had the opportunity to express your views on the Parish Council Plan to request from Cheshire East Council a 20mph zone that covers the whole residential area of Bunbury (the Plan).
The results are now in, and the first point to make is that a lot of us did exactly that, and 270, either online or by returning a paper copy of the questionnaire, made their contribution to shaping the life we live in Bunbury. As surveys and polls go, that is a good response. It is essential because it tells us that the issue is important and residents took the survey seriously. In doing so, our case in requesting the 20mph from Cheshire Council, is stronger.
These are the basic results from the survey:
Note: I have ‘rounded’ the percentages on the pie charts so they may not add to 100% in all cases.
1. Would the 20mph zone encourage you to be more active (walk, cycle, ride, push prams, use wheelchairs, etc.)?
One of the points that Cheshire East will consider in evaluating the plan is if the zone would make a difference to the physical activity levels, i.e. encourage more walking cycling etc. People getting out and about the village without taking the car. The results show this is what we could expect from the introduction of the 20 mph Zone. A significant 72% expect to be more active as a result of slower traffic speed.
Initial analysis:
Of the 36% (96) (Not at all + Not very likely sectors) who wouldn’t increase activity, 31 supported the plan. They were already active walkers and didn’t expect to do more.
2. Are there reasons that limit you from active ways of getting around?
The main issues were seen as:
(a) The lack or narrowness of pavements/footpaths (70) comments)
(b) Speed of traffic (perception of safety) (58) comments)
(c) Parking (inconsiderate/on pavement) (46) comments)
(d) Hedges (restricting pavement/footpath) (16) comments)
3. Evaluation of the 20mph zone as shown on the map:
4. Would the 20mph zone make (active) travel to and from the school or Medical Centre safer
This question focuses on getting to two key village facilities. It is a specific ‘test’ for the plan by asking if it would be seen as helping. While the balance between ‘Much safer and A little more safe’ moves a little toward a smaller impact, the overall result is an emphatic 84% belief that it would improve the safety of active travel.
The higher numbers in the ‘Don’t Know/Not Sure sectors may reflect a group that does not go to either facility.
5. This question repeats Q1 (apologies) as to whether you would increase activity in response to the 20mph zone. See Q1.
6. For Parents: Would the scheme make you more inclined to let your child out on their own
Note: 120 identified as Parents or careers
The use of the phrase ‘Home Range’ is used in this context as indicating the area where children feel able or are allowed to move independently. It is noted in research that the home range has fallen over the years (ref.1) Some submissions indicated they do allow their child(ren) out already.
As research has shown before (see below), one of the major factors inhibiting the ‘home range’ is the level of traffic. “Indeed parental fear of traffic accidents coupled with the changing availability of streets as a play space can result in children being taken in a car to a play space further away (Tandy, 1999; Karsten, 2005)
Ref 1Woolley.H.E et al. (2015 The University of Sheffield. Decreasing experience of home range, outdoor spaces activities and companions: changes across three generations in Sheffield in North England)
The results clearly show that Parents/Carers would feel more inclined to allow their child(ren) to be more independent where traffic speeds are lower.
Note: 57 submissions
A clear expectation among young people that it would indeed feel safer if the speed of traffic was reduced to 20mph.
Conclusion:
After reviewing the data presented above, the Working Party on Traffic Management is justified in recommending to the Parish Council to proceed with requesting Cheshire East Council to implement the 20mph Zone as indicated on the map above.
Could do with fixing potholes, parking for the school etc. first before worrying about spending money on 20mph signs.
I think that the village shouldn’t be reduced to 20mph, because it won’t make it much safer, instead of the Parish Council reducing speed limits they should be fixing potholes, adding pavements, and putting car parks outside of the Bunbury Primary School and Tilly’s, I walk and cycle places so it wouldn’t benefit me.
If the 4 start points of the 20 section. were nearer to the village centre, thus making the 20 area smaller, it would probably be much better observed. Suggest just before the school, Church Row, junction of Wyche Road with Wyche Lane and Hill Close. As proposed most drivers will have tired of doing 20 long before they reach the village centre.
Many residents drive at 20 already. We know it makes sense. But a reminder to us and encouragement to others would make walking around the village pleasanter and, most importantly safer.
It can’t come soon enough. Let’s hope it happens quickly. Thank you
It seems to me that q1 and q5 are more or less the same thing.
I have answered 5 for q1 as, except in rare and extreme cases, I always walk everywhere in the village so the implementation of the 20mph zone would make no difference to me personally.
Nevertheless, as a general option to help reduce the speed at which many people drive through the village and hence, hopefully improve safety, I think it is an excellent idea.
Whilst on this theme can I welcome your request about keeping hedges trimmed to property boundaries. There are far too many in Bunbury which intrude onto pavements. I would suggest you make this request much more forcefully and maybe with posters pout top around the village.
Also on a similar theme there seems to me to be far too many people parking unnecessarily half on the pavement which has the same effect as overhanging hedges. There are obviously a few roads that are especially narrow which could be exempt from this rule
Finally, last year we were asked to complete a form for the Neighbourhood Plan. Unless I have missed something we have heard absolutely nothing further. I would have thought that the village should at least be given regular updates win its development.
I hoip0e too hear your responses to these suggestions.
Experience in Wales appears to confirm that that these limits create potentially hazardous driver frustration and a lack of concentration on the road ahead – because of the significant increase in concentration in looking down at the speedometer, away from the road – as it is quite difficult driving to maintain 20mph. Also, the School already has a 20mph limit, which is fine as it is timed and limited to just the School.
I’m not sure what the council is seeking to acheive with this questionaire other than to avoid any possible criticism and being able to declare it’s implementing the wishes of the people. The questionaire is not particularly well designed as (i) Q1 is repeated at Q5; (ii) my ‘Not at all’ answer to both would presumably be deemed as negative responses when they’re not meant to be – it’s just that my ‘active travel’ around the village couldn’t be any more than it already is (and nobody asked); plus (iii) the questionaire targets only people either coming or going to the village and not the people passing through the village – who I think are more likely to be against the proposal. But hey, I’m sure the analysis will be just as the council require. For my part I think a 20mph zone in the centre of the village is a no-brainer so I am generally supportive of the proposal but I doubt it will result in much of a change in behaviour of drivers. They will still exceed 20mph on the outskirts and slow to less than 20mph in the centre so why bother other than to be seen to be doing something laudable. Essentially I think the council should now quickly turn their attention to other priorities such as parking for the school, the co-op, the butchers turned coffee shop and the endless number of potholes in and around the village. (don’t get me started on the pothole repairs by the chippy. I sincerely hope the contractors were not paid a penny for thier shoddy work). How about applying for some leveling-up funding?
Hi Clive,
Thanks for taking the time to complete the Questionnaire. Like you, I walk and cycle around the village already and am unlikely to do more if the speed limit is reduced to 20 mph. Therefore, like you, I answered Q1 and 5 about increasing my activity with the same choice of ‘Not at all’. It is not deemed a ‘negative’ answer but an answer a proportion of the Bunbury population gives because they prefer to walk and can do so. Like you, I went on to say that I support the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit. We may disagree about the extent of the zone but recognise it is appropriate to some degree.
I regret the duplication of Q1 and Q5. Despite many checks, it did slip through and should not have done. Please accept my apologies.
The Traffic Management Working Party, of which I invite you to become a member, will address Parking, pavements, etc., in due course. We began our task with this project because if and it’s a real IF we are successful, it could have a big positive impact on our residents. While we walk often, and I cycle as well, many of our citizens perceive the volume and speed of traffic through the village as intimidating. That perception has a real impact on behaviour. The request to have a 20mph speed limit (and dealing with parking issues) is a request that Councillors hear a lot.
Of course, it is a survey restricted to the views of the people who live in the Parish or use the school and shops. The introduction to the Questionnaire makes that clear. It would be beyond the power of the Council to request information from travellers just passing through the village but have no other connection with the village. The school has sent out information on the survey to all parents with a link to the online version. Copies of the Questionnaire are available in Tilly’s, the Co-op and The Nags Head.
Enforcing a 20 mph speed limit will be as difficult as enforcing a 30 mph speed limit. The rules are the same. It will take time for drivers to adjust, and the Parish Council will do what it can to support its enforcement. That said the powers of the Parish Council are very limited especially in relation to road works. We have repeatedly asked CEC Highways to repair the road by the chippy. Several repairs have in fact taken place but are so limited and of ’emergency repair’ standard that the road continues to need attention. The whole country seems to suffer from a plague of potholes. I think I must leave you to consider why and what, on a national level, needs to happen to improve the
situation.
Once again, thank you for your comments.
Waste of money, people who speed at 30 and there are plenty of them will ignore the signs and continue to speed. We need to discourage and reduce the number of cars coming into the village, strategically placed chicanes would be more effective. Double yellow lines on School Lane and around the triangle on Bunbury Lane, there have been several accidents nearnear the co-op due to ignorant parking are another cost effective option.
The conservation area has turned into a car park hence lost its reason for conservation.
One of the reasons the reduced speed limit is being considered is precisely to discourage the numbers of cars passing through the village. Chicanes and double yellow lines, other street furniture and amendments would certainly have more impact but they have also been put forward in the past and previously have been rejected on the grounds of ruining the aesthetic of the village (and cost, of course), which is ironic, because as you say, the conservation area is ruined by the amount of street-parked cars. The 20mph limit is already on the Cheshire east streets plan and whilst it is not addressing all the traffic and parking issues here, we are seeing it as a potentially relatively cheap first step towards alleviating these issues.
I am unsure of what this questionnaire aims to achieve and whether it will illicit any helpful information for the Parish Council to act upon. Questions 2 & 7 do not give any opportunity for those of us who usually walk around the village to comment. A 20mph in the village is one way to decrease speeding but I am not confident it will slow those drivers down who ignore the 30mph anyway. In many towns and villages in the UK and other countries speed bumps, in my view, are much more effective at reducing speeding vehicles. Certainly a 20mph in the centre of the village has my support but, perhaps even more effective, strategically placed speed bumps could/should be considered.
The campaign and skewed questionnaire are both driven by a belief that 20mph is the answer to any perceived problems with traffic in the village. The reality is the behaviour of some drivers who park in an inconsiderate manner and let’s be frank about the lack of ability to enforcement any such speed limits. Travel is already constrained by condition of roads and the sheer volume of vehicles related to building and construction in the village! I am disappointed that there seems to be only one solution to making roads safer through a 20mph limit imposed. We had been asked previously if we would like to see roads safer in the village but who would say no to that loaded question? Well I do if it is a one choice of 20mph which cannot be enforced!
I don’t think a blanket 20mph policy for the entire village will benefit anyone. I’m however all in favour of a 20mph limit passing the school at the appropriate time, the centre of the village is self regulating with the state of the roads and parking.
As others have stated in their comments a simple way to raise road safety is to 1. Ensure hedges encroachment on the footpaths is addressed. It is almost impossible to stay on the footpath with a pushchair in many places 2. Sort out parking on school lane (use of cricket ground car parking)
I walk our dog in the village and many people drive too fast, especially along Vicarage Lane. It is rather unpleasant when a car passes close to a pedestrian at speed. I am supportive of a 20mph limit through the village. However, it needs to be enforced, the existing 30mph limit is largely ignored. Too many large trucks also drive through and a 7.5 tonne limit also needs to be considered.
I can only echo what others on here have said about the desperate need for more parking, and enforcement of the speed restrictions and stopping poor parking – around the Co-Op and the chippy in particular. Don’t attempt any journey by foot or car on a Friday when the chippy is open and Budo is on at the village hall!
Whilst there may not have been accidents most people will tell you about near misses that they’ve had as drivers and pedestrians; and anyway, that shouldn’t be a reason not to try and improve things!
Bringing about the positive behaviour change – whether it’s people walking or cycling more, drivers not accelerating down Bunbury Lane (in either direction), and not parking on the few bits of pavement we have and generally just driving everywhere because they can – is going to be more of a challenge.
Are the schooll, Co-op, Tilly’s and the chippy part of the Traffic Management Working Party? If their customers are part of the ‘problem’ then they have a responsibility to support whatever the Working Party / Parish Council decides to do. Or just do it anyway, because it makes sense.
The school are doing what they can but unfortunately they don’t have the £70k to build the planned carpark for teachers. They have their own working party which has met with the parish council and local MP try to get some action, they have also applied for planning but without the funds it will be difficult to address
Echoing what others have said, I am completely in favour of making the village safer for pedestrians and cyclists. I am also in favour of implementing a 20mph speed limit however I don’t think it will solve the problem. Using speed bumps or chicanes would be more effective. Also following what Diana said about near misses…there are loads of statistics around number of near misses before an accident occurs so while there has not been an accident yet, it is only a matter of time.
For someone who lives on the extremities of the village I think this would be a welcome idea. Unfortunately you do take your life into your own hands when walking to the centre or school, this is by no means the majority of the road users but does make a parent wary to walk. I’ve read other comments and whilst I understand and appreciate these I don’t feel they are argument not to reduce the speed limits. Cars being able to brake better does not help when on a bend with walkers, horse riders or tractors around the corner. In Wales, the 20mph limit worked well in the built up areas but unfortunately all roads were 20mph not limited to being built up and this was where the idea fell down. No one wants to have someone harmed on the roads of our village, just because it hasn’t yet happened doesn’t mean that’s reason enough to not reduce the speed limit, the risk is there and we can do something to reduce this risk.
I completely agree that parking is problematic in the key areas and this needs addressing but is a separate matter than the parish council can maybe petition for in a separate campaign.
Can’t drive at much more than 20mph with all the potholes, parked cars, cyclists and people walking in the road anyway plus it won’t stop the people in high powered cars zooming through the village at night when you might be out giving your dog its last walk. Maybe if people cut their hedges we could use what bit of pavement there is to walk on? Also with the amount of building going on in the village all these extra people and cars have to go somewhere, maybe its time CEC realised there isn’t the infrastructure for all these extra bodies and cars, I’ve noticed a big difference since the two new estates were built, not to mention all the smaller builds and another 15 going up off Bunbury Lane with plans going in for more..!
Having lived in the village on Vicarage Lane now for the past 10 years, I would say the volume of traffic has increased dramatically. What used to be a quiet country lane is now a significantly well used road….
Also the speed of the traffic coming through, especially larger vehicles, is daunting sometimes.
I understand that we’ve had a lot of residential development recently and hopefully as this comes to an end, the traffic may subside somewhat….
Perhaps restrictions on the size of vehicles as well as the speed in which traffic comes into the centre of the village is another important area of traffic management that can be looked at?