A campaign has been launched to tackle the issue of speeding motorists on Aston Lodge estate by the Aston Lodge Residents Association (ALRA).
The speed limit across the Aston Lodge estate is 30mph but there are no official speed control signs to remind drivers of this and there are no traffic calming measures on the estate at all. A residential road runs all around the estate and all residents have to use this road to enter and exit.
The vast majority of drivers stick to the speed limit. Unfortunately a few do not and there some who treat it a bit like a race track. There is also a large number of delivery vans around the estate all day every day.
Aston Lodge residents have a track record of taking the initiative to look after their estate. Because of this, ALRA decided to have a go at raising awareness to safe driving by inviting residents to submit artwork that could be used to make speed awareness signs. Three designs have been chosen and made into signs by a local printer.
Co-chair of ALRA, Robert Townsend, said: “Many residents have been voicing their concern about speeding on Aston Lodge, it’s a hot topic on the residents’ Facebook site. The Highways Authority have been asked to review the issue on Aston Lodge but inevitably this will take time and we know that any traffic calming measures are expensive.
“We are very grateful to Stone Town Council who have supported this initiative with a grant of £250 to get the signs made. Thanks also to the resident youngsters who submitted artwork.”
“There is a risk to pedestrians from the speeding drivers as well as it being a noise nuisance when drivers go too fast. Aston Lodge is a quiet family estate of 700 houses. There are lots of people out and about; families, children and older residents who use the estate for exercise and socialising, especially through the pandemic. We have cyclists, joggers and lots of dog walkers who all need to know they are safe from speeding drivers.”
The signs will now be installed by some residents in their front gardens. The signs will be in place for a month and hopefully will remind drivers to watch their speed and take care around the estate.
Three artworks were chosen for the signs and they are represented by 5 year old Rosie Bickerton, one of the winning artists.
Rosie said “We want cars to slow down and keep people safe.”
