A rural route used by motorists to avoid the congested corridors of Sandown and Lake is to be cut to just 20mph, with additional 30mph zones extending into Apse Heath and Whitely Bank.
Residents in Newchurch have long campaigned for a 20mph speed limit through the centre of the village, in a bid to tackle speeding drivers and increasing volumes of traffic – traffic using the route to avoid the congested and slow-flowing main road from Ryde to Ventnor.
Now the local authority, working in close partnership with Newchurch Parish Council, Island Roads and the local ward member, have agreed on a series of new speed restrictions throughout the parish to improve road safety.
Councillor Clare Mosdell explained:
“We have all worked together to bring the speed down through Newchurch from 30mph to 20mph, which will hopefully bring many benefits.
“It has been a huge piece of work but these measures will reduce risks for pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and motorists alike.”
Under the new traffic regulation order (TRO), the largest area subject to change will be from Langbridge through to Branstone Cross, including Newchurch High Street. Some sections will see new 30mph and 20mph speed limits as well as the introduction of a weight restriction. There will also be changes around the arms of Whitely Bank roundabout and between Apse Heath roundabout and Branstone Cross.
The TRO implementation works are expected to start in August this year.
From the outset, Councillor Mosdell said a key consideration was that any scheme should not impact on Bartletts Service Station, based at Langbridge Business Centre…
“The parish council and myself wanted to make sure Bartletts could still run a successful business so the TRO allows for a certain number of lorry movements each day”.
Parish council chairman, Councillor Roy Bevan, said any scheme which improved road safety was welcome. He said:
“For many years, Newchurch Parish Council has been concerned about the excessive speed of traffic on various roads within the parish.
“The parish council is grateful for the contributions of all agencies involved in the creation of this TRO, and acknowledges and appreciates the work done by Councillor Mosdell”.
Councillor Ian Ward, the Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, added:
“Speed is relative to the conditions of the road and you only have to look at these roads to see 30mph is inappropriate.
“The TRO took time to get agreed but we all worked together to get the best outcome.”
With the greater number of vehicles on the island roads, and the daily reports of accidents, isn’t it time to consider a blanket maximum speed limit of 40 mph for the Isle of Wight? (Most of the time you cannot achieve more than this anyway).
Other islands have lower speed limits:
Jersey: “The top speed limit in Jersey is 40mph, but much lower limits are also in place around the Island, particularly in built-up areas. There are many ‘part-time’ 20mph zones around schools, and our green lanes have just a 15mph speed limit”.
Guernsey: “Guernsey’s maximum speed limit of 35mph (56km/h) has been deemed inappropriate for the island’s lanes and minor roads. A strategic review by the Environment Department concluded that a lower limit of 20mph (32km/h) would be appropriate”
Prick
Ridiculous having 40 mph for whole of Island, there are many places where there is little traffic.. yet even now you get people in their big gas guzzler cars or 4X4 doing 36 – 38 mph, even when the speed limit drops to 30. Causing long queue’s. They are the ones that need to be stopped and fined. Learn to drive is the answer.. they say when you passed your test ( if you did) that is the best you will ever drive.. just look in your rear view mirror and see, if there is a QUEUE behind you, then you are doing something wrong ! Use your indicator, BEFORE you brake when turning… use indicator, when APPROACHING a roundabout, at night when pulling over to pick up or let someone off, especially Taxi’s, turn headlights down to sidelights, even more so if on wrong side of road ! Too many assholes driving out there without any thought or care for others, like cutting corners on blind bends, jumping red lights !!
They should make a driving licence last only 10 years. Then one would have to start again, take lessons and a new test like the first ! Same cost as first time too. This way drivers would keep more up to date on new signs, new road layouts and naturally ( hopefully) become better driver ! When did you last read the latest Highway Code book ?
So dos that mean you can still drive a lorry through the village to take it to the garage for its yearly mot
I’m sure it will, as the council have already admitted that weight restrictions and width restrictions will be unlikely to be policed.
and Councillor Ian Ward has stated to me before that breaking these restrictions is OK (if it’s only a litttle bit)
Lets hope all these aggressive speedy cyclists take note of these speed limits as well.