Speed limit petition rejected by Barnsley Council in 18 seconds

A petition signed by almost 300 residents calling for the speed limit on a ‘dangerous’ road to be lowered was thrown out by Barnsley Council's cabinet in just 18 seconds.
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Coun Steve Hunt, who represents Darton East ward, said he was ‘disappointed’ the council had not taken road safety seriously, after the petition was rejected following a discussion lasting just 18 seconds at the council's last cabinet meeting.

Coun Hunt has been involved in the campaign to lower the speed limit on Staincross Common and and Windhill Lane from 40 miles per hour to 30mph, after concerned residents got in touch about speeding traffic in the area.

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He said: “I expect that when when presented with a petition signed by 300 people that the council would have some discussion, even if they didn't support it.

Barnsley Town HallBarnsley Town Hall
Barnsley Town Hall

Residents have been raising road safety concerns in the area before I was a councillor and the petition was based on what residents have been saying.

“I don't see the council taking road safety seriously enough. I know budgets have been cut and there is little money, but I see neighbouring councils implementing speed management."

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However, Coun Chris Lamb, the cabinet spokesman for environment and transport said the council takes road safety ‘very seriously’.

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Coun Lamb said: “We’re aware of road safety concerns on Staincross Common and Windhill Lane and would like to reassure our communities we take these concerns very seriously.

“Road safety improvements are targeted at the worst performing sites across the borough and Staincross is not one of those locations.

“The 40mph speed limit was set following criteria from the Department for Transport, and we feel reducing the limit to 30mph would do little for road safety in the area.

“Working with South Yorkshire Police, the last speed survey on Windhill Lane saw that 85 per cent of traffic was driving below the limit.

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“As a result, we do not support the lowering of the speed limit on this section on Staincross Common.

“We’ll continue to monitor the location through ongoing collision analysis.”

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