Residents on Weir Estate and across the whole of Thornton Ward are being consulted on new proposals to introduce a 20mph speed limit and Car Club bays across the area, which would include the introduction of a number speed humps to ‘self-enforce’ the reduction in speeding motorists.

Lambeth Council is holding a consultation event at The Weir Link this weekend (Saturday 2nd October 2010 from 10:30am to 1.30pm) and next week (Tuesday 5th October 2010 from 6pm to 8pm) to gauge views of local people on the proposed measures. A consultation document has been sent to every property in the ward, and we hope to be able to bring an electronic version here shortly.

Often controversial measures such as raised tables on road junctions and various forms of road humps are being considered to regulate the speed of vehicles driving throughout Thornton Ward. This would also run alongside the currently stalled bus route extension.

After years of discussions between Lambeth Council, Councillors and Transport for London, Lambeth have confirmed in the documents that they now have the resources to introduce the road danger reduction measures in order to cut down the level of speed and ‘rat runs’ which operate across Thornton Ward.

Though the proposals and logistics of what would be introduced have not yet been decided, residents can share their views on what they would like to happen.  As part of the consultation, residents are being asked to complete a questionnaire as well being invited to attend the consultation events.

A number of schemes have already been implemented successfully in the area such as resurfacing of Cavendish Road, kerb realignments, raised entry treatments known as ‘raised tables’, build outs and additional crossings, near some of the areas main schools. Lambeth are now seeking to expand the scheme to include all roads in the ward.

The scheme would cut the current 30mph speed limit down to 20mph which some road safety studies show cuts road deaths in half. Many residents have complained that vehicles speed along Weir Road which links the south circular road and Balham.

Weir Road would have a number of calming measures introduced while residents wait to find out when and if they will finally get the bus route which was consulted on some months ago. Lambeth state that ‘any road safety scheme would compliment the bus scheme’ which has stalled while Wandsworth Council apparently make decisions on locations of bus stops. Residents are also reassured that the introduction of car hire bays in locations across the area will not affect existing parking spaces.

The closing date for the returning of the questionnaires is 15th October 2010.

The details for the consultation exhibitions:

held at: The Weir Link, 33 Weir Road, SW12 0NU

on Saturday 2nd October 2010 from 10:30am to 13:30pm

And Tuesday 5th October 2010 from 18:00pm to 20:00pm
where officers from Lambeth will be on hand to answer concerns and questions. Residents are invited to go along and hear more about the proposals.

Further information can be sought from the Tranport and Highways Team:
Haibat Abro – Tel: 020 7926 0682  -  email: habro@lambeth.gov.uk
Genstacia Bull – Tel: 020 7926 8989  -  email: gbull@lambeth.gov.uk