Motorists urged to cut speed as thousands exceed limits

MOTORISTS are being urged to cut their speed on a Warrington road where volunteers have recorded literally thousands of drivers exceeding the 30mph limit.

During a three day period on Knutsford Road, Grappenhall, local councillor Paul Wenlock and Mike Biggin, checked the speeds of more than 21,500 vehicles in the 30pm limit and found 4,680 were travelling at 41 miles an hour, with a further 1,445 clocking 46 miles an hour.

More than 600 were exceeding 50 mph with over 100 doing more than twice the limit at over 60mph!
Cllr Wenlock, who is Chairman of Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council and Cllr Biggin, who is also a borough councillor for the area, set up the speed checks following complaints from local residents.

The council has invested more than £7,000 in three speed detection devices – and although both councillors were aware of speeding issues, they were shocked by the extent and high speeds.

Retired police officer Cllr Wenlock, who is the Speed Watch Co-ordinator for the area said: “Since we have been using these devices we have been able to prove or disprove the perception of speeding.

“In some areas the problem is not as bad as people think – but there is clearly a big issue on Knutsford Road, near the junction with Bellhouse Lane.

“The information we are collecting is extremely useful and we can pass it on to the Police Traffic Management team in order for them to carry out enforcement.”

Other surveys in the area revealed that in the 20mpg zone on Bellhouse Lane, during a five day period in October involving 1,268 vehicles, more than 800 exceeded 21mph, with six above 36mph and one over 41 miles an hour.

During a 12 day survey on 30mph Thelwall New Road in September, out of 9.466 vehicles, 4492 were over 30mph, 387 were above 40mph and nine were over 60mph!

Meanwhile on 30 mph Bradshaw Lane, during a period of six days in September and October, out of 5,528 vehicles, only 663 exceeded 30mph with only 34 over 40mph.

Cllr Biggin added: “The data has given us some very useful information and in most cases prove residents’ concerns over speeding motorists.

“The problem is particularly bad on Knutsford Road and motorists need to cut their speed before there is a fatality.

“In fact even though I am not a big fan of them I would support a speed camera being installed on this stretch of Knutsford Road to help alleviate the problem.”