Traffic calming measures set in Tangmere

For many years resolution of the objective, first proposed in 2010, to implement traffic calming measures on the most used roads, had eluded the council.

Plans to establish a 20 MPH zone in the village was rejected by the county council highways department on the basis that the roads in Tangmere already carried traffic travelling 'too fast' to be able to enforce a 20 MPH limit.

Suggestions for 'sleeping policemen' were rejected by the bus company on the grounds that they would damage the suspension of their vehicles, and plans for pedestrian “zebra” crossings were rejected due to poor sight lines for approaching traffic.

Residents were frustrated by the authorities seemingly preferring the free and easy movement of traffic over the safe use of village roads by residents both old and young.

Finally, with the help of funding provided on the back of housing development, the Parish Council was able to fund the purchase of electronic speed indication units, better known as SID’s.

These will be moved by the council’s appointed contractor in a pre-programmed schedule in an attempt to target the worst sections of roads for speeding traffic.

It has long been established that by showing a driver the actual speed they are travelling will alert them to moments when they are exceeding the limits.

With all approach roads in Tangmere coming from very fast major roads, such visual reinforcement of their speed will reduce the number of vehicles speeding through the

village, according to the council.

A council spokesman said there are many roads in Tangmere where the visibility is poor, where school children and elderly residents literally take their life in their hands attempting to cross the road.