Speed cut planned for Chichester road

A road in Chichester will be getting a new 20mph speed limit and traffic-calming measures because it is a cyclist accident blackspot. County councillors approved plans for the creation of a 20mph zone and traffic-calming along Fishbourne Road East after investigations following a recent serious accident at the junction showed a high rate of collisions involving cyclists.

Fishbourne Road East forms part of a National Cycle Network route, and a committee report said that two-way, 12-hour pedestrian and cycle movements along the route totalled 1,800, of which 800 were cyclists.

A traffic order implementing the measures will be made, subject to no unresolved objections, while a committee report said the scheme would cost £50,000, of which £24,263 would be provided via contributions from developers, as part of planning agreements. The rest would come from the county council's local safety scheme budget.

Plans for the road also include a new raised 'table junction' to slow traffic at the main point of conflict between vehicles and cyclists at its junction with Clay Lane, and three sets of speed cushions, said to be a preferred traffic-calming feature for cyclists, providing the gaps between the kerb and the cushion were correctly positioned.

A maximum 20mph speed limit was also proposed in two residential areas of Bristol last month in pilot schemes aimed at cutting accidents, as well as geting more people onto their bikes, while Oxford also introduced 20mph zones across the city.

Councillor Jon Rogers, Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability, said: “The primary aim of these pilot zones is to make walking and cycling in these communities safer and more attractive to more people. Reducing the speed limit to 20mph should also help to reduce the number of road accidents, which is another reason for promoting these schemes.

This time last year, MPs on the Transport Select Committee called on the Government to increase the number of 20mph speed limits on Britain's roads. Commenting on this, Roger Geffen, CTC Campaigns and Policy Manager, said: “Making 20 mph limits the norm for most urban streets would not only have huge road safety benefits for everyone, but would also encourage more people to walk and cycle, and allow their children to do so.