Progress?

On the 5th September 2023 the decision was taken by Northumberland County Council (NCC) to introduce a speed limit of 30 mph on Station Road. Here is the NCC decision document.

Work commenced in June 2024. The Parish Council stated on social media on Monday 17th June 2024 (at approx 12:00): "Work has started to install the new speed restrictions today which means that the speed limit will be 30mph. The work is expected to take two days."

Unfortunately 'the work' (so far) has consisted of merely removing the 40 mph speed limit signs, and then cutting down the poles with angle grinders. And installing a single, very small 30 mph sign way past all the houses, towards the Allen View (Catton) junction.

(The painted circled '30' have since been removed from the road surface).

So there is no indication or reminder that the speed limit has been reduced to 30 mph, or that there is any speed limit at all along the road. Motorists could almost be forgiven that someone has (finally) got rid of that pesky 40mph speed limit...

To be fair to the Highways staff they were just following the instructions in Appendix A of the NCC decision document. NCC should have stipulated in that document that further signs were to be put in place.

Several weeks on it doesn't seem that the speeds are reducing. Other measures will be required.

But what's this? It appeared outside the Primary School during July 2024. According to the miovision website the 'Scout Plus' (which must be a later version) can collect 'all data types, operates with verifiable accuracy, and has the safest and fastest deployment for comprehensive data collection studies'.

Great stuff. It is relatively unobtrusive. Maybe NCC might think to monitor Station Road? The trouble with any obvious, visible monitoring is that people will simply slow down as they approach it, then speed up again. So the results can't possibly record the reality of the situation.

No. The monitoring equipment came and went. (UPDATE - the Miovision unit was monitoring the number of pedestrians crossing to the school).

1st August 2024 - Allendale Parish Council meeting

It was reported in the Parish Council minutes that representatives from the council had met with the NCC Highways officer, Neil Snowdon, on 19th July who had 'agreed that the measures in place were inadequate and that he would draw up draft plans for more signage for the new speed restrictions as well as plans for installing two speed cushions sited 1/3 and 2/3 along Station Road'.

There may be some serious progress at last!

5th September 2024 - Allendale Parish Council meeting

In the Parish Council minutes Cllr. Horncastle (NCC) reports: 'Station Road - Work on signage and speed humps (similar to bottom of Allendale road entering Hexham) with design team. Some extra signage may be going up soon extra to what design team are working'.

3rd October 2024 - Allendale Parish Council meeting

In the Parish Council minutes Cllr. Horncastle (NCC) gave the following update: 'traffic calming measures had been suggested but are possibly too expensive. This was now back with the design team. Update next month.'

Oh dear. Looks like we're back to square one. Time to make this website public I think.

No 'extra signage' has appeared, although a considerable number of 'SLOW' ovals (with red lines) have been painted on the road all through Catton. Why not along Station Road?

7th November 2024 - Allendale Parish Council meeting

The Parish Council minutes state that Cllr. Horncastle (NCC) said that 'Approval had been obtained for rubber cushion traffic calming on Station Road and possibly red traffic markings.'

That sounds like good news! The minutes also quote him as saying 'There could be a speed survey in the future, when funding permits.'

There's really no need... I've done it for you! The results confirm what residents have been saying for years.

9th January 2025 - Allendale Parish Council meeting

(Note: NCC Cllr. Horncastle didn't attend the December Parish Council meeting)

From the minutes. 'Co Cllr Horncastle provided the following update.' 'It had transpired during a site visit In December that the previously agreed physical traffic calming measures (rubber cushions) would only be permitted with different streetlights (cost: £3000 per light for 3 to 6 lights) and Cllr Horncastle stated that there no budget available for this. Instead, a scheme of improved road marking and signage would be undertaken in the Spring. A speed survey would proceed thereafter.'

Words fail me, but several questions arise:

- What price safety? I can't think that motorists being allowed to speed at 60, 70, 80mph (in a 30mph limit) next to an unprotected pavement would be allowed anywhere in this day and age. This is like having a pavement at the side of a dual carriageway. And don't forget that the drives from the forty or so houses exit straight on to the road - there is no pavement on that side.

- How have Highways just realised this, when the scheme has apparently been with the design team since before 5th September? Surely they already knew what lighting is along the road?

As stated elsewhere, a Highways 'speed survey' is unlikely to give accurate results - if people see a speed camera, or rubber strips across the road, they slow down. So how accurate is that? This is obviously to Highways advantage... it could be used to argue that there isn't a problem. Why don't you look at the data on this site instead, and take this issue seriously?