Calls to reduce speed limit in Ellesmere
Shropshire Council has confirmed it is looking into a request to slash the speed limit along a busy road in front of a major tourist attraction in a town.
Members of Ellesmere Town Council want to see the current speed limit on the A495, opposite the Mere, to be reduced from 40mph to 30mph.
It comes after concerns were raised about pedestrian safety.
The issue was discussed at a meeting of Ellesmere Town Council this week.
Newly-appointed town mayor Councillor Ryan Hartley said: "We have approached Shropshire Council who said they are looking into it.
"It is the type of thing they have to okay and they are looking to see whether it is feasible.
"We want to reduce the limit from 40mph to 30mph and also install a pedestrian crossing in front of the Mere and arboretum.
"But we have been told it won't be done this year. If given the okay, it all costs money such as replacing the signs. Putting in a crossing will entail a bit more work."
Councillor Ann Hartley previously raised the issue and said: “People are not respecting the current speed limit. We have plans for a secret garden, enhancing that area and opening it up, so we really need to push for it to be reduced to 30mph."
Dave Gradwell, Shropshire Council’s area traffic engineer, said: “There is a scheme in our current capital programme to look at the introduction of a 20mph zone covering streets in Ellesmere town centre.
"As part of this, we will also be looking at reducing the existing 40mph speed limit on the A495 adjacent to the Mere to 30mph.
"This scheme is being taken forward by our capital projects team via our term design consultants, and funding has been allocated as part of our programme for this year, to complete the scheme design, carry out any necessary consultation, etc, with the intention that funding will be assigned for implementation as part our future programme. As and when plans have been drawn up showing the proposals, these will be sent out for consultation with the town council.”
Also at this week's meeting councillors discussed the issue with dog fouling at the Beech Grove playing fields.
"We haven't had any official complaints but people have been talking about dog fouling down there," Councillor Hartley said.
"We are going to put in anti-dog fouling signs and see how that works.
"It is a large area so to put a fence around it would be expensive."
