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Kenilworth Green Party ‘20 is Plenty’ Survey

Posted on by Bronwen Reid

Results and Report - Completed October 2020

Summary

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Results of a 60 second survey carried out between February and October 2020 showed that there is support for 20 mph speed limits in some roads, particularly around schools. Residents who responded to the survey would also support provision for safer cycling. Other areas for action identified were traffic and pollution, HS2, parking and improvement of green spaces.

Introduction

From February 2020 to October 2020, the Kenilworth Green Party carried out a survey of residents in the Park Hill ward to obtain their views on lowering the speed limit to 20 mph in the local area. We wanted to know if ‘20 is Plenty’ would be supported and how it could be achieved. The survey questions are in the Appendix. In all, approximately 430 residents were given the questionnaire. A total of 337 responses were collected, 285 on paper and 52 online. Online access to the questionnaire was also available via two newsletters distributed to Park Hill and Abbey Town properties in March and September. Whilst completing the survey, residents were also asked about any other concerns about Kenilworth and these are recorded in a table towards the end of this document.

Background

In 2013 the Department for Transport (DfT) revised guidelines to encourage local authorities to consider introducing more 20mph speed limits in appropriate roads. (Atkins, AECOM and Maher 2018) The advice stated that 20mph speed limits are most appropriate where the mean speed is below 24mph and that road users would comply without police enforcement.

The benefits of reducing speed limits in appropriate streets include:

  • casualty reduction,
  • fewer motorists using roads as rat runs,
  • reducing congestion,
  • making roads a safer healthier and more pleasant environment for residents, cyclists and pedestrians,

All these benefits are available at low cost (Atkins, AECOM and Maher 2018).

The above authors were asked to evaluate 12, 20 mph schemes in different parts of England. The results showed that median speeds were slightly reduced in residential and city areas, This meant that roads were safer and encouraged residents to walk and cycle more.

Kenilworth Green Party want to make Kenilworth a safer, more environmentally friendly town where walking and cycling are encouraged. Increasing the number of 20mph roads would contribute to this aim. However, it is important that residents are involved and support such schemes, so a survey of residents’ opinions was sought.

Results

82% of residents surveyed thought that having speed limits of 20 mph on roads was an important issue, of these 81% thought this should be a legal limit, and 19% advisory.

When asked where these limits should be, there were a range of responses, shown in the bar chart. Note that residents could give more than one response.

kenilworth-20isplenty-barchart1

A clear majority wanted 20 mph zones near schools (54%), but a sizeable minority wanted a 20mph limit on cycle routes (30%). This reflects concerns given in the comments about how unsuitable the roads in Kenilworth are for cyclists.

A range of answers were given to the question ‘How should 20 mph be implemented?’ The most popular method was electronic flashing signs which feedback the driver’s speed (77). Although 54 wanted sleeping policemen, there were also comments which reflected strong opposition to this method.

kenilworth-20isplenty-barchart2

Comments from Residents

As well as asking questions about ‘20 is Plenty’, residents had the opportunity to report any other issues and comments. There was a total of 240 comments on a range of topics. They have been divided into 11 main areas.

Comment topic Number of comments Main points made
Cycling/ walking 37
  • more provision for cycling and pedestrians in Kenilworth
  • many felt it was unsafe to cycle on our roads
  • some had concerns about inconsiderate cyclists, particularly on the Greenway
  • there are dangerous junctions where the footpath is very narrow, such as the junction at New Street/Hight Street
  • a pedestrian crossing needed under Greenway Bridge on Coventry Road
  • wider footpaths needed
  • hedging overhanging pavements is not cut back
Traffic and air pollution because of traffic 27
  • heavy traffic around Kenilworth
  • new developments will affect traffic volume
  • large lorries in Warwick Road and Rouncil Lane
  • speeding on Coventry Road, Clinton Lane, Rouncil Lane and Fieldgate Lane
  • dangerous junctions at Glasshouse Lane/Windy Arbour, Windy Arbour/ Newfield Road. A resident consulted a small focus group about this issue and sent a report to the County five years ago. The conclusion of this report was narrowing of the long stretch would help.
  • Dangerous junction at Bridge Street/Priory Road
  • insufficient policing of speeding
  • cars idling and traffic congestion outside schools
  • rat runs such as Woodland Road
HS2 24 Although many concerns were expressed about HS2 there was little detail in responses. Concerns were expressed about:
  • road closures
  • use of Dalehouse Lane by HS2 traffic
  • ancient woodland and tree destruction
  • closure of part of Greenway
Parking 16
  • parking on pavements, grass verges and turning areas
  • high parking charges in town discourage shoppers
  • more off road parking needed e.g in Taylors Close
  • lack of provision of resident parking e.g in Birches Lane
  • dangerous parking in Windy Arbour, Newfield Avenue, Abbey Hill
Green spaces 15
  • more tree planting
  • concern about cutting down mature trees, including ancient woodland
  • the need to retain open spaces for community use
  • more rewilding and planting of wildflower and bee-friendly areas
  • building on green belt a concern
Services such as streetlighting, recycling 15
  • some thought lights should remain on after midnight, others wanted less light pollution
  • concern about lighting in poor weather
  • litter and fly tipping a problem. Only one area was identified – the alley between Hyde Road and Albion Street
  • several complained about potholes. No named areas were given
  • provision of bins and bags for recycling should be free at all times.
  • recyclers do not clear up after themselves
  • clearing of road drains more regularly needed
  • greater provision of EV points
Crime and policing 7
  • concerns about thefts from allotments and cars
  • would like more police ‘on the beat’ to protect children from dangers
  • information about crimes in area needs to be shared to warn other residents
  • antisocial behaviour a concern in some areas
  • one person felt that increased CCTV was needed
  • dog mess a concern
Flooding 6
  • flooding of Finham Brook causes problems for residents in Northvale Close and Forge Road. Support for flooding alleviation needed.
  • blocked drains need to be cleared
Public Transport 4
  • requirement for better public transport, including buses to Stoneleigh Park and more frequent rail service
Housing 3
  • there is a lack of affordable housing in new developments
  • concern that too many houses being built
  • encroachment onto green belt
Other 8
  • Concern about decline of the shopping centre
  • a need for post- retail development of town centre
  • would like more support for the arts
  • would like more access to GP
  • Concerns about loss of outdoor swimming pool, lack of youth services, increasing multi-occupation houses

Conclusions

  1. Support in Park Hill for ‘20 is Plenty’ is widespread, focussed on particular roads especially those around schools.

It is therefore worthwhile making an effort to implement these measures.

  1. Making cycling safer in Kenilworth has a lot of support
  2. The next major related concern is traffic and pollution
  3. HS2 is having an impact on quality of life for residents
  4. The Green Party would have support for action on parking issues and care of green spaces
  5. Residents showed a concern for the environment and were keen to make Kenilworth a better place to live.

References

Atkins, AECOM and Maher, M (2018) 20 mph Research Study, SNC Lavalin