A petition for a 20mph speed limit through the centre of a West Wight village is gaining momentum with locals arguing "now is the right time to do it".
EXCLUSIVE
The petition, to reduce the speed limit through the centre of the village of Brighstone from 30mph to 20mph was launched at the start of April by Graham Robbinson.
He lives locally and was thinking about "other issues" relating to new development, Blanchards, off the main road.
Now, around 250 people have signed it.
Graham has been speaking exclusively to Isle of Wight Radio, he said:
"We launched it [the petition] because we have become very much aware of the general problem in the village, I am sure it is a problem in any village these days - not suitable for the amount of traffic and the speed etc. But I think this village in particular - with the main road which curves around there isn't good visibility in certain places, it passes by a bus stop where kids get on and off and a general lack of pavements - which I think people find difficult.
"In addition to our previous concerns, there's a pinch point that's going to be possibly installed relative to the new development which we think will cause other issues in particular in terms of traffic coming in from the East, they will come through the village, see the pinch point and think we can get there before traffic coming the other way and possibly speed up further and it is that bit of the road that has no pavements."
Centre of the village of Brighstone
Among those supporting the new speed limit are Claire Corsham and her husband Trev, who took on Brighstone Newsagents in the middle of the pandemic on April 1 last year. But thanks to the “overwhelming support” from locals they were able to get through an incredibly challenging time.
Working with Adrian's Bike Shop in Freshwater the popular Newsagents now has an e-bike hire, as well as the ability to serve alcohol until 9pm. Claire said for the village in general, it would be “great” if traffic could be slowed down.
Claire told Isle of Wight Radio:
“From a customer perspective, ultimately it is safety. There is parking in the village but sometimes it tends to obstruct the walkway so people have to walk out in the middle of the road.
“Large vehicles, especially those that don’t know the area can drive a little bit fast and because we have moved the counter to the door - it is much more noticeable.”
Cllr Hastings, who represents Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet told Isle of Wight Radio he has signed the petition.
He said:
“Brighstone is one of the largest villages on the Island and benefits from two shops, cafes, a school and pub all in the centre which means a lot of traffic and parked vehicles often delivering goods.
"This often gives poor visibility down the road with no assisted crossing point for children and the elderly and with a major development coming soon at Blanchards field, there will be even more requirements for crossing the road as the facilities are all on the opposite side. So traffic calming is essential and I support this call for 20mph through our village before there is a bad accident”
Sources close to Isle of Wight Radio say Brighstone Parish Councillors have been individually supportive of the new limit when it was discussed at a meeting last week.
Nick Stuart, Brighstone Parish Councillor and West Wight Campaigner, told Isle of Wight Radio:
"I fully support a 20mph limit in the local villages and as a local Councillor will encourage Brighstone Parish Council and others to get behind this campaign.
“ Most drivers are already considerate of pedestrians, cyclists and horses and a 20mph limit will encourage others to follow their example."
A spokesperson for Island Roads told Isle of Wight Radio:
'We are currently collecting traffic data as part of an Island-wide speed limit review.
'Once the data has been collated a report with recommendations will be prepared for the Isle of Wight Council in the autumn for a decision on a strategic vision for the future.'
You can sign the petition in the newsagents and the Village Shop or by emailing Graham at [email protected]
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