Road humps introduced in Gloucester as part of the acclaimed Safer City demonstration project are likely to be removed, following a review by the city and county councils.
Significant opposition to flat-top humps used in the first stages of the £5M project have been shown in a recent ‘safer city referendum’.
Locals complained of the discomfort to drivers and passengers, noise and vibration, and damage to vehicle suspensions.
The consultation, involving 6,300 households in two areas of the city, also raised concerns about chicanes, due to traffic from side or access roads unexpectedly turning into the face of oncoming traffic.
Junction tables and speed cushions, which were used in other phases of the pioneering ‘urban safety management’ initiative, were more widely supported than humps.
Respondents also backed speed cameras and vehicle-activated signs, but these could not be justified on an area-wide basis, a report to this week’s city council cabinet advises.
The five-year pilot ended in 2001, having achieved its aims with a net reduction of almost 37% in fatal and serious casualties compared with similar towns. Since then, the KSI total has remained static. The council hopes the road safety partnership that succeeds its camera partnership next year will make a difference.
The recommended joint review will cover 10 roads in the Elmbridge and Longlevens areas. Officers will consider replacing the humps with speed cushions, and modifying the straight approach profile of speed tables with ‘H’ or ‘S’ ramps. The cost of the works is put at £50,000.
Bus operators and hauliers support the changes, but the police are concerned that traffic speeds might increase and undermine a proposed 20mph zone, which the council does not consider essential, given the areas’ good safety record.