Stop the speeders (From Gazette & Herald)

Stop the speeders

WORRIED parish councillors in the twin villages of Nawton and Beadlam have joined forces to campaign for action to curb speeding traffic after two road deaths.

Five junctions and five sharp bends on two hills aggravate the crisis, says Sandra Thurlow, chairwoman of Beadlam parish council.

"People are becoming increasingly concerned because these are two thriving villages, but the main A170 road has to be crossed to enable them to get to such places as the recreation field and memorial hall."

As well as being one of the main holiday routes in Ryedale, it carries year-round heavy traffic between Thirsk and Scarborough so that, with limited visibility, getting onto the road is a nightmare.

It is so bad at one point, says Nawton council chairman Chris Plowman, that motorists rely on reflections in a shop window to get onto the A170. Both chairmen say that traffic calming, especially flashing speed restriction signs, would help.

"We have been pressing for action for years, because we have both a primary and secondary school in the villages," said Mr Plowman.

In addition to the fatal accidents, which both happened at the same spot on a hillside near the local pub, there have been a number of other less-serious accidents, say the parish council chiefs.

"We are especially concerned about the number of children and elderly people who have to cross the road," said Mrs Thurlow.

"It can be quite frightening at times, because traffic does travel fast despite the 30mph restrictions.

"Visibility for both motorists and pedestrians is restricted through both the villages."

John Purcell, one of the many local people who fear for the safety of villagers, said: "Improving road safety is of paramount importance. People take their lives in their hands when they try to cross the road, almost at any time of the day."

Another local, Pamela Fisher, said she was particularly concerned about older people crossing the road. "They cannot move quickly, but the traffic is increasing year on year and, with it, the speed."

In a recent appraisal in the villages, which have a total population of 750, a massive 86pc of residents said speeding traffic was a serious problem.

"Traffic causes special problems, not just because of the speeding, but also the noise," said Mrs Thurlow. Cyclists and horse riders feel they are at serious risk from traffic.

"The main road is narrow and winding and there are sections with narrow, and even no, pavements in some places. The improvements made on the A170 by advance rumble strips fall far short of what is needed to make this road safer," she said.

The case for a pedestrian crossing in Beadlam and Nawton is strong, said the residents in the appraisal.

The council chairmen are calling for a comprehensive traffic management scheme for the villages, to deter speeding traffic.

"Many vehicles do not not slow down until they are well past the speed limit signs," said Mr Plowman.

Gale Lane, which leads to Ryedale School, is seen as a particular blackspot.

Villagers say a 20mph speed limit should be brought in at the heart of the two villages, and a 40mph limit on the approaches. This would help make the A170 safer, especially for cyclists and horse riders, but also for pedestrians.

"The creation of a safe cycle route from Wombleton and Nawton should also be an objective," said the survey.

Parish councillor John Dean said: "Every household in the villages raised traffic speed as their main worry in the recent appraisal."

Nawton parish assembly highlighted road safety as a major issue last week.

Mr Dean said: "We have had two fatal accidents and there are fears that unless action is taken to curb the speed of traffic, that there could be others. The existing speed restrictions are not being effective."

He said North Yorkshire County Council has said it will analyse the findings of its own surveys.

County Coun Val Arnold, who represents the villages on North Yorkshire County Council, said: "I fully support the parish councils and the residents. Two young lives have been lost in the villages through road accidents and we must do everything possible to prevent any further tragedies."

Updated: 11:30 Wednesday, April 28, 2004