Opinion is still divided after public meeting on anti-speed measures (From Warrington Guardian)

Opinion is still divided after public meeting on anti-speed measures

RESIDENTS are divided over measures aimed at cutting traffic speeds on a road serving an industrial estate.

Senior highways engineer Malcolm McCuaig presented draft plans for speed cushions and patches in Back Lane at a public meeting on Tuesday.

The plans would see five speed patches between the junctions with Holmes Chapel Road and Longdown Road, and raised speed cushions from the Longdown Road junction to the end of the industrial estate.

Residents at the estate end are happy with plans for the speed cushions, but those living between the Holmes Chapel Road and Longdown Road junctions say the plans are unsatisfactory.

They believe the unraised patches would do little to slow traffic, cut noise and reduce vibrations from HGVs, and have asked for speed cameras to be installed.

Mr McCuaig said Back Lane did not meet the Department of Transport's criteria for speed cameras, but said he would look into erecting speed camera signs.

The plans have been sent for a safety audit, which will involve independent engineers checking the proposals would not reduce road safety.

They will then be advertised, and formal consultation will be carried out when emergency services will be consulted and residents can raise formal objections.

Mr McCuaig said no decision had been made, and he would continue listening to residents' concerns.

Cllr David Topping, who chaired the meeting, said: "This has been a successful meeting, we really want to get something done, and I believe these plans will be better than the status quo."