Friday, May 25 2012
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Traffic Calming FAQs

Q What is traffic calming?
A
Traffic calming is when engineering methods are used to reduce the speed and/or volumes of traffic using a particular road or roads in an area.
Q The traffic on my street is travelling too fast. Can anything be done to help?
A
There are several ways of dealing with speeding traffic. Often we have to rely on the police to enforce the existing speed limits. There are other situations where engineering measures are more appropriate and traffic calming devices could be considered.
Q Can I have traffic calming installed on my street?
A
You can have your street assessed to see if traffic-calming measures are appropriate. We take into account such things as traffic flows and speeds, accidents, numbers of pedestrians and road and footway widths. The Council already has a long list of requests for traffic calming and generally those roads where speed related injury accidents have occurred are dealt with as priority. Other requests have to be assessed and prioritised and the most deserving cases dealt with as and when resources permit.
Q What kinds of traffic calming can be installed?
A
The following are all examples of the type of traffic calming that might be used:
 
  • Road humps
  • Speed Tables
  • Speed cushions
  • Build Outs
  • Chicanes
  • Pinch Point
  • Central Islands
  • Gateways
  • 20 mph Speed Limit Zones
  • Variable Speed Signs
  • Speed Cameras
  • Road closures.
The most appropriate choice of device will depend on such things as:
  • The classification of the road ("A" class, "B" class, distributor road, residential street, cul-de-sac).
  • Access for emergency services.
  • Bus routes.
  • Level of on-street parking.
  • Proximity of industrial/business premises.
  • Existence of road junctions/private access.
Q Are we consulted?
A
The council consults the local residents and businesses before proposing a scheme. A questionnaire and plan is sent directly to those residents likely to be affected.
Q Are schemes monitored?
A
We carry out traffic and speed surveys and monitor the accidents. We also consult the local residents by questionnaire and take into account their views in evaluating the effectiveness of a scheme.
Q Can the traffic calming on my street be re-sited, moved or removed?
A
It is possible that alterations could be made to existing traffic calming measures if they prove to be causing a hazard to motorists or pedestrians. It is unlikely though that major change will be made to overcome local "inconvenience".
Q Traffic numbers have increased on my street since I moved in - can anything be done ?
A There is a natural yearly increase in the amount of traffic on the roads in the district. Traffic growth within a specific location may be as a result of changes in your area that cannot be helped. If, however, you feel the increase is attributable to "rat running" (people taking short cuts), we can investigate further to determine whether any measures to reduce the problem can be introduced.