The safety group which refused permission for a flashing speed indicator sign to be installed on one of Keswick’s busiest routes has been slammed as “ignorant” by a town councillor.
CRASH, which stands for Casualty Reduction And Safer Highways, would not allow the electronic roadside device on High Hill near the approach to Keswick School despite a long-running community campaign backed by the town council.
CRASH had been happy to allow a SID — Speed Indicator Device — to finally be positioned on Chestnut Hill last week as had been requested by local campaigners led by deputy mayor David Burn over the last six years.
Now, fellow independent councillor, Peter Terry, has condemned CRASH, a working group for Cumbria Road Safety Partnership, for not doing likewise at High Hill in an effort to slow down traffic there as well.
“Surveys have been done on High Hill which identify not only traffic frequency but also the speeds of vehicles, many of which are exceeding the 30mph limit. However, CRASH in their wisdom have said ‘no’,” said Mr Terry.
“An excuse put forward by CRASH for their opposition to the High Hill SID is that if too many are installed, then drivers ignore them.
‘This appears to show an ignorance on CRASH’s behalf in that the two SIDs are on opposite sides of the town.”
Finance is not an issue, as the £6,000 Chestnut Hill SID has been paid for by Keswick Community Asset Company, which had offered to do the same for one on High Hill.
“This is a local problem and we have a local solution. I know how busy High Hill is, particularly at the school’s ‘coming out’ time. Fast cars and large numbers of people, particularly young people, is a recipe for disaster.
“It is essential that a SID should be installed on High Hill as a matter of urgency,” said Mr Terry, whose two daughters were pupils at Keswick School.
He praised town council colleague David Burn for the successful campaign for a SID on Chestnut Hill, where Mr Terry has lived for 45 years.
“I have crossed it at least once a day during that time and it is dangerous, particularly where I live, having to rely on a convex mirror on the opposite side for a safe crossing.
“I am therefore delighted to see the SID, and give thanks and tremendous respect to councillor Burn for his tenacity in getting it installed,” he said.
Chief Inspector Terry Bathgate, of Cumbria police, is chairman of the West Cumbria CRASH group which he said considers around 300 agenda items per year, many of which emanate from concerns raised by local parish and town councils.
He said: “The collision data still does not evidence an issue with road safety in this area (High Hill), nor does the traffic data evidence an issue with excessive speed.
“Following a review and discussion by the members of the CRASH group, the installation of a permanent or temporary SID was not supported.”
However, he added that “alternative engineering solutions” were also discussed by the CRASH group, with a proposal that rumble strips be installed on High Hill being supported.
