Speed sensors only 'short-term step' in bid for Gobowen road crossing
The installation of vehicle-activated warning signs in a Shropshire village should be viewed just as a "short-term measure" to combat speeding, a council meeting has heard.
A pedestrian crossing remains the long-term answer to improve road safety on St Martins Road in Gobowen, last night's meeting of Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council was told.
The signs, which light up when sensors spot vehicles travelling at above the 30mph limit, were installed by Shropshire Council just before Christmas.
The move was made after campaigners met highways bosses to ask for a pedestrian crossing to be installed on the road.
Many families cross the busy road each day to get to School Lane and to the village school.
Campaigner Dot Basham, who organised a petition calling for the crossing to be installed, told last night's meeting that although the new lights had proved effective initially, more had to be done to slow traffic and asked for an update on the request for the crossing
She said: "We did have the 30mph flashing signs put up before Christmas and, yes, they slowed the traffic down a few days until they all had a shock but they are back to normal again, unfortunately."
Councillor David Lloyd said the crossing request was currently going through the budget process at Shropshire Council.
He said the warning signs were welcomed by villagers but agreed more had to be done to slow traffic.
Councillor Lloyd said: "The has been a favourable response and the council kept to its promise to get the lights in.
"There is an ongoing problem and people are very short minded.
"I find it acceptable as a short-term measure,but that is all I see it as."
He suggested the Road Safety Partnership, which used to site speed vans on St Martins Road, be invited to carry out occasional monitoring to remind drivers they had to keep to the limit.
Villager Malcom Titley also raised road safety issues about School Lane at last night's meeting.
He said the road had not been treated for ice and it was "horrendous" for families walking to school on Tuesday.
Mr Titley said: "It was like a skating rink, it was that bad. It was very, very dangerous.
"Lots of elderly people were walking up that way."
And he said another issue around School Lane, as well as other parts of Gobowen, was dog owners not picking up after their pets.
Councillors said a dog muck complaint telephone number was available to call.
