What have been described as ‘inappropriate’ 60 mile-per-hour speed limits on country roads are to be reviewed by Wokingham Borough Council.
Campaigners had launched a petition demanding speed limits to be cut in half on narrow country lanes in areas, including Kiln Green, Hare Hatch, Upper Wargrave and Ruscombe.
Roads such as Bear Lane, Blakes Lane and Castle End Road are currently subject to the national speed limit of 60mph. But they also have no footpaths or street lighting, leaving walkers ‘vulnerable’ to fast-moving vehicles.
Many roads are a single carriageway, and some are only 3.5 metres wide – but have over 250 vehicles per hour at peak times.
Safety activist Simon Chapman, who created the petition, claimed that the number of minor incidents or near misses had multiplied since lockdown.
Now, Wokingham Borough Council has said it will look into changing the speed limits on certain roads.
Councillor Paul Fishwick, executive member for active travel, highways and transport, said: “The petition has prompted us to review the speed limits for possible reductions, but any changes would require a detailed Traffic Regulation Order process, as well as the installation of a new terminal and repeater signs.”
Cllr Fishwick added the council is ‘in the process of drafting a new policy for rural speed limits in the borough’ which will ‘provide clearer guidance and potentially facilitate more appropriate speed limits’ for the affected areas.
Speed limits are currently being reviewed for Blakes Lane, Tag Lane and similar roads in the area as highlighted by the petition, Cllr Fishwick confirmed.
In response, Mr Scott said that he looked ‘forward to the day when my family and I can walk out of our gate without undue fear’.
Councillor Wayne Smith, representing Thames Ward, said that it was ‘simply common sense to reduce the speed limit wherever there are no pavements’.
With many lanes being off a major A4 road, he said it was ‘pure madness’ that speeds are so high in the surrounding narrow lanes.
Cllr Smith added that the provision of ‘urban speed bumps’ were not the answer, as they would ruin the ‘rural character’ of the roads.
The conservative member further criticised the high limits as a ‘mockery’ of the council’s active travel policy, which encourages residents to use alternative modes of transport to cars.
He continued: “A 30mph limit will at least change drivers’ mindset when they use these lanes.”
