Highcliffe residents pledge to continue road fight (From Bournemouth Echo)

Highcliffe residents pledge to continue road fight

7:10pm Monday 9th November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(8)

THE fight goes on.

This is the warning from residents in Highcliffe who are calling on the council to meet their list of demands to prevent further accidents on a busy stretch of road.

Almost 200 residents have signed a petition asking for a safe pedestrian crossing and a reduction in the speed limit on the A337 Lymington Road from the Lord Bute Hotel to the Hoburne roundabout.

The Lymington Road Action Group says speeds in excess of 70mph are observed in the 40mph zone and are calling for the limit to be reduced to 30mph.

Christchurch Borough Council has said it is already planning to extend the 30mph limit from St Mark’s Church in Lymington Road to St George’s Close.

But the chairman of the campaigning group, Bob Denney, says this is not enough.

“This only covers half the road so we have gone back to them to say what about the remaining half. We are quite disappointed,” he said.

Mr Denney said the support from residents has been overwhelming. “I have had letters galore from residents to say thank you for what we are doing and to offer their support,” he added.

He said residents are willing to march along the road carrying banners to get their voices heard.

A petition signed by 138 residents of Highcliffe was presented to Christchurch council in October demanding: * The noisy road surface be replaced with a quieter one to comply with the law * The speed camera near St Marks be moved to the golf club stretch * Their council taxes be reduced to take into account the constant 24-hours a day noise * A full pedestrian crossing near Nea Road to enable residents to cross the road safely * Police to carry out regular speed camera checks * The 30mph limit be extended from St Marks along the entire stretch of road These issues will now be considered by borough’s community services committee on December 16.

Bob Baker, the council’s transportation and highways manager, said he would be presenting a report to the committee and it would be a matter for members to decide on the resident’s requests.

Cllr Alan Griffiths, leader of Christchurch Borough Council and county councillor for Highliffe and Mudeford, said: “I have arranged to meet with the action group to discuss their concerns.

“We will make sure their views are clearly heard at the committee meeting.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(8)