116 caught by speed trap in one year on Reginald Mitchell Way in Tunstall
MORE than 100 motorists have been caught speeding on a notorious stretch of road in just 12 months.
A total of 116 drivers have been recorded by mobile police cameras on Reginald Mitchell Way, in Tunstall, since August last year.
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NOTORIOUS ROAD: Reginald Mitchell Way.
The figures have been released under the Freedom of Information Act as families step up their fight for permanent speed cameras to be installed.
Matt Burke, acting secretary of Bankeyfields Residents’ Association, said: “It’s a very dangerous road. It’s on a slope and it’s hard for drivers to see the signs at points. But that shouldn’t make any difference really because drivers know the speed limit and they should be driving responsibly.
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“I was trying to cross the road there the other day with my eight-year-old boy when we were on our bikes. It took about 15 minutes. There would be a constant flow of traffic, and then when you do get a gap, someone comes along at a dangerous speed.”
Residents have campaigned for traffic calming measures on the dual carriageway for years.
Several crossings have been placed on the road, which has a 40 mph limit, and improvements have been made to signage and road markings.
But Mr Burke added: “It needs permanent speed cameras in place. That’s the only thing that would really make motorists think twice.”
In spring, a toucan crossing was installed at the roundabout which joins Reginald Mitchell Way to Chatterley Road to help pedestrians reach the Goldendale West enterprise centre.
Five years ago a crossing was placed in the road after families from the nearby Swallows Rise estate complained.
Alterations have also been made this year to the road’s large roundabout, with signs being replaced and lane markings repainted.
Campaigner Gordon Owen said lane discipline at the roundabout has also been a problem.
The 44-year-old, of Mustang Close, Tunstall, added: “That’s a problem as much as the speeding to be honest.
“It’s just irresponsible driving. They could put cameras there but I’m not sure how much good it would do. I’ve heard that for cameras to be installed there must be a recent fatality.”
Councillor Ruth Rosenau, Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transportation, said: “Whilst any road traffic accident is extremely regrettable the recent accident record for Reginald Mitchell Way is not considered high.
“Despite this, the city council has always listened to the concerns of residents and undertaken many measures to reduce speeding and improve overall road safety.
“We will continue to monitor the situation on this stretch of road and take action where appropriate.”
Should cameras be installed? Email us at letters@the sentinel.co.uk
Comments
by DJofTNE
Monday, September 24 2012, 5:54PM
“116 caught in one year? Quick get the speed cameras in, thats less than 1 every 3 days and about 0.05% of traffic, quick speed camera ! Money money money.”
by johnwhite18
Monday, September 24 2012, 6:10AM
“That's all well and good but the use of phones at the wheel don't show up on cameras and England has far more of them then speeding cars vans wagons and bus drives all use them !”
by smallblackcat
Sunday, September 23 2012, 2:00PM
“To those ignoramuses who think the Council gets the money from speed camera fines, let's be clear - THEY DON'T. The money goes to the government. It used to come back to the Safety Camera Partnership to pay for the police time and the camera maintenance but it doesn't even do that any more (thanks to the cuts).
The cameras are there to make law breakers keep to the speed limit and nothing else. As has been said, it's really easy to avoid being fined - DON'T EXCEED THE SPEED LIMIT.”
by Jolyteddy
Sunday, September 23 2012, 1:40PM
“Oh to be able to edit a post once submitted. If you are too hasty with your typing you have to live with your mistakes.”
by Jolyteddy
Sunday, September 23 2012, 1:37PM
“There are regulations on speed hump size. This makes interesting reading http://tinyurl.com/crd4qjw
We measured and complained about some near us, as the bottom of our car was sacrped every time (even crawling over). The council person in charge of this was always on holiday or unavailable, but a councillor, known to us, went over a hump, scraped her car and marchrd into the office demandeding that something be done... and it was.
Since roadworks mean that one hump has been replaced and of, course it's too, high. I complained, but nothing came of it. What a surprise.”
by camband
Saturday, September 22 2012, 8:45PM
“by graham44d
"As it says its a dual carrige way, A bypass call it hat u like, council just out to make revenue." UNQUOTE.
An old saying springs to mind here. 'A FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED'.”
by HAGGI5
Saturday, September 22 2012, 8:19PM
“So, we have 116 people driving cars who need eye tests then? Serves em' right!”
by jomans
Saturday, September 22 2012, 5:45PM
“The speed limits 40mph, you can proberly get away with doing 45mph with the speed camera tracking you. Whats the problem? If you're going fasterthan that, its you're own fault for doing that speed. Easy solution is to do 40mph!”
by DoctorDo
Saturday, September 22 2012, 12:36PM
“I'm with Camband on this one.
I live beside a main road and in the past it has resembled a race track. So along came Staffordshire County Council who installed speedhumps. They installed them every 40 metres or so. Of course they don't slow down motorbikes or van drivers; they can hit the gaps. But since they've been installed I've needed at least one track rod end or ball joint every time my car has been for service.
If they'd installed a speed camera every 40 metres they'd have cured the speeding problem without causing unnecessary damage to people's cars.”
by camband
Saturday, September 22 2012, 12:16PM
“"Residents have campaigned for traffic calming measures on the dual carriageway for years". UNQUOTE.
You watch what will happen here. Those very motorists who do the speeding on this stretch of road -will be the first to complain if the DREADED SPEED BUMPS are installed BECAUSE OF THEIR SELFISH AND DANGEROUS PRACTICE.
Serves 'em right too -if that what it comes to -at the understandable RESIDENTS' INSISTENCE.
But so unfair if it does come to pass, on the law abiding motorists -whose journeys home will be so affected by the introduction of speed bumps. It's the same old eternal problem -THE MINORITY SPOIL IT FOR THE MAJORITY.
(I'm guessing the 'reds' win hands down on this one....”