Conclusions

Let's think for a minute why a council might want to drag its feet over a speed limit that is patently too high in a case like that of West Drove South. First, to refresh memories, West Drove South is a one track, poorly maintained country lane with no street lights or footpath. There were, at the beginning of the year, 15 houses in the lane, spread out and all individual in character laid out on one side of the road opposite horticulturl land. The council (South Holland District), in its wisdom, agrees planning for 6 semi-detached properties on the horticultural land in close proximity to one another but crucially hidden from view of road users travelling from the northern end of the road. It presents a clear and present hazard to road users and pedestrians in terms of children darting onto the road from behind a fence and foliage which forms this barrier hiding the properties. This WILL happen - there are NO facilities AT ALL in Gedney Hill for children and the gardens of the new properties are small. Children will play in the street, there is nowhere else for them. And yet both South Holland District and Lincolnshire County Councils MUST know what they have done.

Now again I mention our MP, John Hayes, who graciously came to talk with West Drove South residents recently. He says 40mph is too high.

Read again the text in the last but one post from the Divisional Highways Manager. Doesn't he make great play about the amount of work involved in changing limits to the point where one might start feeling some sympathy and conclude, "oh well, if it's that much bother best leave it be then".

Then again he talks in terms of, "should it be demonstrated that a change of speed limit is appropriate ..." - how does that manifest itself in practice? Is there a magic number of broken limbs in RTA's that trigger the requirement? Who does the demonstrating? Is it his job, come what may, to protect a budget involving lines that WILL NOT be crossed?

It is legitimate to question LCC's commitment to road safety. It is especially so when statistically it is safer for children on streets 15 miles away in Norfolk. It would be ridiculous to dismiss this suggesting that there is a higher degree of feckless parenting in Lincolnshire or because of the earth's tilt Norfolk enjoys a geographical advantage in this regard. The residents of West Drove South and the MP HAVE demonstrated a lowering of the speed limit is warranted in West Drove South!

Might another reason for largesse in the matter of the WDS speed limit issue be future plans, as yet not made known to the public? Could the imposition of a lower speed limit adversely affect plans already agreed that have yet to be put to the public through the planning process? Might a lower speed mean that these plans cannot proceed? So LCC must 'hold the line' in order for the planned future for West Drove South, whatever that may be, to be protected at all costs!