Bristol drivers ignoring street speeding calming measures

Speed calming measures on a road in Kingswood have not worked, according to new figures.

South Gloucestershire Council installed white lining along Cecil Road in response to a speed survey that showed the 20mph limit was being ignored.

But speed readings taken in the past year show drivers are still flouting the speed limit, with one in seven drivers going 27mph or above.

This is the same as an earlier survey from December 2008 but an improvement on the speeds recording in the summer.

A survey in June showed one in seven drivers were going above 30mph, which prompted the white lines.

Cecil Road is part of the one-way system in the centre of Kingswood, running behind Somerfield towards Bristol city centre.

It has had a 20mph limit in place since 2002, when major changes were made to the road network.

Residents have complained about "boy racers" tearing along the road at all hours and councillors for the area say the authority needs to look at the problem again.

Councillor Roger Coales (Labour, Woodstock) said: "It is clear that the current traffic management scheme in the area has not worked and the recent white lines have had little effect either.

"In the most recent survey, the speeds of 45,000 vehicles were measured over a 27-day period and well over half were found to be over the 20mph limit.

"The council needs to take this problem seriously.

"It is not enough just to stick up another flashing sign for a month.

"We've had three surveys along Cecil Road and they all show there is a problem.

"Clearly the council's current scheme is not working and the issue needs to be looked at urgently."

The council says it is now a matter for police enforcement.

Spokesman Steve Knowlson said: "Following the latest traffic survey carried out in September and October, the council is disappointed that some motorists are exceeding the 20mph speed limit on Cecil Road, despite the pro-active approach taken by road safety officers installing new markings to narrow the carriageway and encourage lower vehicle speeds.

"The results of the latest speed monitoring survey will be forwarded to the police for the appropriate enforcement measures to ensure the safety of all road users on Cecil Road."