CALLS are being made for an urgent speed review along a road in Norton, following several accidents and the death of a motorcyclist in June.
Norton & Lenchwich parish councillor Jacqui Dance wants the county council to review the current speed limit from the hazardous stretch of the B4088 between Norton roundabout and the 40mph gateway.
The road that leads north out of Evesham is heavily used by schoolchildren, pedestrians, agricultural traffic, and cyclists.
“This section of road is the 60mph national speed limit. However, the roads north of Norton, heading towards Alcester and those continuing to Studley and Redditch, as well as the A44 to Pershore, are all 40 or 50mph limits.
“Lowering the speed limit to 40mph would enhance the safety of those residents, guests, equestrians, workers, drivers, riders and pedestrians who find this stretch of road increasingly unsafe,” she said.
She has started a petition on Change.org, which, so far, along with a paper petition, has 323 signatures and counting, in favour of a speed review.
Councillor Jacqui Dance with her petition. s
The speed reduction campaign is being supported by Wychavon representative for Harvington & Norton, Councillor Craig Reeves who said: “In June this year, the road saw the sad loss of life of a motorcyclist.
“Many who live and commute this stretch of road, speak of many near misses and there have been a number of accidents involving cars ploughing through hedges and rear-end shunts that occur as cars pull in or out of driveways.
“It’s not a case of ‘if’ there is another fatality, it’s ‘when’ and we need action and enforcement presence to calm this unmonitored and fast road.”
On a recent visit to the area, Redditch MP Chris Bloore expressed his support and said: “This stretch of road poses an unacceptable risk to local people. Following the recent fatality and ongoing concerns from residents, it is only right that the council conducts a transparent and thorough review of whether the current speed limit is appropriate.”
Concerns at present seem to have fallen on deaf ears as a spokesperson from WCC Highways said: “Speed limits are set in accordance with national guidance and are regularly reviewed by the county council to ensure they remain suitable for local conditions.
“For the B4088 (between the A44 roundabout and Kings Lane, Norton), there have been no recent changes to the road layout or environment, and no pattern of speed-related incidents has emerged. As a result, no changes are currently proposed, though we will continue to monitor.”
Visit change.org/p/speed-reduction-campaign-for-evesham-road-norton to sign Jacqui’s petition.
