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New borough joins revolt against 'sleeping policemen'
David Williams, Motoring Editor28.10.08
CROYDON council is scrapping a series of road humps. It says it decided to remove the traffic calming measures after a survey found 95 per cent of residents were against them.
The move comes after Barnet began ripping out "sleeping policemen" in 2002 after an outcry by motorists.
Barnet later reported that accidents in the borough had fallen nearly 15 per cent, saying drivers were no longer tempted to speed in roads without humps in order to make up for time lost on those with humps.
Today motoring experts claimed the change in policy by some London councils was spearheading a nationwide move that would signal the end for the road hump.
"Once, putting in road humps seemed the most effective way to slow motorists down," said Elizabeth Dainton, of the RAC Foundation.
"But now we are seeing authorities deciding to take them out again. They have found that they disintegrate and become unsightly, and that they are very expensive to maintain in good condition.
"This is the death knell for the road hump. They are not doing what they are supposed to do and there is a backlash."
Croydon said humps at Galpins Road, Norbury, and Hayes Lane, Kenley, would be removed.
Reader views (3)
Explain to me how cars fail to cope with 4-inch speed bumps, but they can quite easily park illegally by mounting a 6-inch kerb.
I am tired of people being selective about which laws they choose to obey.
- Martin H Watson, Teddington
Ignore the spin on this and instead let's get a few things straight.
Croydon Council removed the Galpins Road hump before their "consultation" exercise had even finished. Their policy decision to remove speed humps, tables and cushions was never properly voted through by councillors, but quietly introduced by the back door, with highways staff allegedly threatened with disciplinary action if they dared to propose new traffic calming measures. The Council's own press release does not say that 95% of the borough's residents are against them, which is hardly surprising - all the traffic calming measures were only put in after local residents were consulted and came out in support.
Until drivers respect speed limits and we have enforcement cameras that make sure they do, leave the humps where they are - slowing down dangerous drivers and keeping our streets safe.
- Austen, London
Great. Can the excess material be used to fill in all the potholes?
- Rusty Shackleford, UK
