Minutes of Public Meeting held on 14.6.22
Notes from the Public Meeting held on 14.6.2022 at 7pm at the Keal’s Village Hall.
Present: Cllr Smith Cllr Cooper, Mrs Martin, Clerk to EKPC and 18 members of the public.
Apologies were received from Cllr Kemp, Cllr Wrisdale & Cllr Boxer.
Welcome Cllr Smith welcomed everyone to the meeting. He explained that this was the second public meeting to discuss speeding through the village in response to the Report from Highways. He wanted to respond to this document and include any additional comments from the residents.
Draft reply from EKPC. This draft document was read to the meeting.
We are grateful for the report and send our thanks.
However, there are concerns e.g. the fact that not all accidents had been included.
We felt that the change in the camber, whilst welcomed, is unnecessary and ask that money should be spent of overall 'Speed reduction' instead.
We are worried the camber change would enhance the flooding problem.
Flashing speed warning lights from Balfour Beatty will be welcomed, but these should be provided anyway, whether or not the come from BB.
White lines should already be renewed as they are already worn.
Currently nearly all vehicles still cross that line as their speed is too high.
We would like the 20mph advisory area around Hall Corner to be made compulsory.
Overall speed throughout the whole village is the main concern and the reason for the problems. Money and work should concentrate on reducing speed right through.
To this we would like 'Average speed cameras' to be introduced and paid for by County Council.
Vehicles are not sticking to the 30mph limit.
The 30 limit speed sign on the eastern edge is in the wrong place, being immediately around a bend and straight from a 50 mph area. It should be moved westwards before the bend.
We like the idea introducing roundels.
We reject the Community Speed Watch Scheme as ineffective, unworkable and will not be introduced by the PC.
We would like rumble strips to be introduced where the 30 mph starts.
He then shared an email received from Mr. Pearson.
The response from residents was that the strongest way to reduce speed through the village was to have financial penalties for those caught, by way of speed cameras or average speed cameras. This was the only way that seemed to work.
Other comments included why waste money on altering the camber of the road just to allow heavy vehicles to travel round the best faster. This will be costly and the cheaper solution would be speed cameras.
Residents on the main A16 have difficulty entering/exiting their property. Traffic is travelling too fast and is too close when they want to turn. One resident stated that she drove round the one-way system to be on the left- hand side of the road for easier access.
Compulsory 20mph on bend.
Rumble strips.
It was also stated that there have been as many accidents on Saracen’s Head bend, including a fatality, as on Hall Corner. It was suggested that a full record of accidents in the village be kept.
Many residents felt the camber should not be altered as it would also make exiting Blacksmith’s Lane more hazardous. It might also cause more flooding on Hall Corner.
It was felt the 30mph sign in the north of the village should be further out of the village. As it is on a left-hand bend it is somewhat hidden.
When accidents occur the closure of the A16 and the directing of traffic along single-track lanes is not acceptable. There are no passing places. It was suggested that Viking Link be approached to see if their pull in shoulders could be left in place when they have finished their work.
The inclusion of 30mph stickers through the village was also discussed.
The Community Speed Watch scheme was also discussed. Both these ideas, though, admirable, detract from a permanent solution, either the village needs a bypass or speed cameras to reduce even further the speed of traffic travelling through the village.
Flashing lorry tipping signs. It was suggested that these signs would help non English drivers to understand the problems on the bend as they might not understand ‘adverse camber.
Speed roundels. It was felt more of these should have been placed nearer the bend rather than where they are now.
Speed enforcement vehicle to be stationed nearer Hall Corner, and not so obvious.
Single cameras or flashing speed signs do little good as driver only slow when passing them and speed up once safely past.