07905 889 005
31 October 2003
Richard Davies
Assistant Scrutiny Manager
Greater London Authority
6th Floor
City Hall
The Queen’s Walk
London SE1 2AA
Dear Richard Davies
Speed Humps
I’m writing as Coordinator of Southwark Cyclists, and on behalf of that group after consultation with them.
With 580 paid up members, we are on one of London’s largest cycling organisations and the borough group of the London Cycling Campaign.
Our comments:
1. Speed humps wouldn’t be needed if speed limits were obeyed.
2. Speed kills.
3. Traffic calming is expensive but humps are an effective weapon against speeding.
4. Enforcement of speed limits by both the police and the courts would help create a culture where speeding, like drink-driving, is simply unacceptable.
5. But until enforcement works, speed humps help calm traffic.
6. Speed cushions and raised platforms are generally preferred by cyclists – many of whom much prefer traffic-calmed streets. As do pedestrians.
7. But on many streets, cars weave to avoid cushions and build-outs, and into cyclists.
8. Many suburban streets could be very cheaply closed at one end to motor vehicles and humps etc would not be necessary.
9. We would welcome many more speed cameras.
10. In well-designed zones, like Upper Ground, SE1, low pavements, raised platforms and street furniture generally work to slow traffic - by creating pedestrian and cycle friendly areas where it is obvious that motor vehicles are not necessarily top-priority.
11. No form of physical traffic calming is without difficulty for cycle traffic.
12. All traffic calming measures should be carefully designed and maintained with cyclists in mind.
13. Well designed 20mph zones, better enforcement, Home Zones and related measures will service to slow traffic to safer levels.
Southwark Cyclists……
· can of course supply more background if required to all of the above points
· would appreciate being kept in touch with GLA progress on these issues
· would gladly attend any meeting or enquiry or similar
· would like an acknowledgement to this letter.
I’m copying this to Simon Brammer, Director, London Cycling Campaign.
Very best wishes,
Barry Mason
Coordinator
Southwark Cyclists