Action Plan (Draft)
Highways issues in Godshill – what can we all do…..????
DRAFT ACTION PLAN
The Godshill Matters ‘issues survey’ revealed (surprise, surprise) that speeding and road safety were the two biggest issues that villagers are concerned about. So Godshill Matters are trying to address these concerns through a variety of initiatives…..
Publicity campaign.
What can we collectively do to get a publicity campaign going to reinforce email and written complaints to the powers that be? Hold a protest rally? Make some high-viz wearing scarecrow type figures like we see in Whitwell. Who would be up for doing something – if its just a very few people it will look silly so there needs to be a collective commitment? The Road Safety action group will decide this at our first meeting as well as where we would want to place two Visual Speed Indicator Signs.
Following on from the October meeting between the Friends of Godshill Matters and representative from Island Roads, and subsequent emails, some advice and suggestions are listed below to help us all take relevant and appropriate action as needed: -
- Enforcement of the 20mph limit through the village.
Firstly, and most importantly we need to reinstate the speedwatch team – who’s up for it - names please? There is a short training workshop for volunteers new to the scheme.
Then we all can: -
- Hassle the police and crime commissioner https://www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/contact-us Go to the section ‘nature of your enquiry’ then select the box ‘comment, question or complaint’.
- Write to our local ward county councillor caroline.gladwin@iow.gov.uk asking why there is no speed enforcement activities in our village.
- Complain about the lack of speed limit enforcement in the village to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary. https://www.hampshire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/ Click the box ‘feedback, thanks or complaints.’
- Flashing speed signs.
The Police and Crime Commissioner has launched a £500,000 grant fund to allow communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight apply for a maximum grant of £20000 for road safety projects. The advice from the P&CC’s office is that we could apply for “Visual Speed Indicator Signs – These are the smiley/sad face signs that give drivers feedback based on their speed. They do not show the actual speed or record any data. These signs are designed to support Community Speedwatch activities and encourage positive behavioural change”. Signs that actually show the speed vehicles are traveling are sadly ineligible for the funding.
- Always report traffic incidents no matter how trivial.
Statistically there are very few traffic incidents in Godshill. Is this because we don’t report them so the powers that be don’t realise there is a problem. Report here: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/making-a-road-traffic-incident-report/
- Reviewing of speed limits.
To start a review of speed limits in the village (eg Hollow Lane) we need to confirm the details and location(s) to info@islandroads.com They will then incorporate the request into their annual feedback to the Isle of Wight Council HOWEVER, the Isle of Wight Council has specified their priorities for speed control measures in the report reviewed by the Cabinet earlier this year am told it is unlikely that new sites will be assessed until these priorities have been addressed. BUT – if we don’t ask we don’t get!
- Issues relating to the state of highways and roads in the village.
Fix My Street is the best route to complain. Go to https://fms.islandroads.com/ and report anything from dog fouling, potholes, signage or overgrown vegetation. There is a long tick box list that covers a multitude of sins.
- What about those horrible red barriers outside the post office by the broken wall?
Island Roads told me “The wall remains defective in multiple areas and the traffic barriers unfortunately need to remain in position to highlight any potential risk to highway users. We will, however, follow this issue up with the Isle of Wight Council, reiterating your concerns too”.Highways-pfi@iow.gov.uk
- Bats Wing footpath to the church.
We understand from Island Roads, Rights of Way and IOW Council PFI team that “an update will be given very soon” We wait with bated breath.
So….I suggest we have a coordinated and concerted campaign email, reporting, moaning, but to be more effective this ought to be all together so it really makes an impact. Probably early new year – the Road Safety action group will discuss this also and suggest exactly when.
Thanks, Chris Slann, chair, Godshill Matters