Campaigners say Swaffham 20mph speed limit trial is void

The experiment in Swaffham ended at the beginning of this month, but the group wanting to bring in the limit, 20 is Plenty, say the results should be voided.

They say some 20mph signs have been removed and vandalised and that others are in the wrong place, so any data will be meaningless because many drivers will not have been aware of the temporary speed restrictions.

They also claim officials from Norfolk County Council have not been taking the scheme seriously enough. 

A 20mph gateway sign in London Street (Image: Denise Bradley)

The authority has been running the trial after many in the town called for a blanket 20mph limit. It was meant to gather evidence to be used to support permanent speed reductions.

However, in the end only one street was earmarked for the scheme.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN LONDON STREET?

Swaffham was expected to hold a six-month trial with a blanket 20mph restriction in place, but only London Street was eventually selected. 

The experimental traffic order has been in place since April and extended the 20mph limit already in force on part of the road to include its full length up to the north end of Brandon Road.

The road has been monitored for the last five months with the trial ending at the start of September.

Norfolk County Council said it is currently assessing the results of the scheme and will later make a decision about whether the speed limit should be made permanent. 

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London Street in Swaffham (Image: Denise Bradley) TRIAL IS 'VOID'

Tony White, who has led the 20 is Plenty campaign for the market town, believes the signage in London Street has been too widely spaced and is therefore unenforceable.

He also says some signs have been vandalised and are no longer visible to drivers. 

He said: "The organisation of this has been laughable and the readings are all going to be void because there has been so much confusion.

"The council has been resistant to our campaign and they clearly haven't taken this seriously."

Tony White, who has led Swaffham's 20 is Plenty campaign (Image: Submitted)

Mr White says the trial is "not valid" because motorists could easily claim they did not realise the speed limit had changed.

He has urged the council to permanently lower the speed limit regardless of the outcome of this experiment.

"There are lorries flying through the town every minute," he added. "We just want to make things safer for school children and the elderly population."

Swaffham Market Cross (Image: Denise Bradley) WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

Although the trial has finished, the reduced speed limit will remain in place until a decision on whether to make it permanent or not is reached.

Anyone wishing to oppose its indefinite continuation must submit an objection to County Hall by October 5. 

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A 20mph sign in London Street in Swaffham (Image: Denise Bradley)

A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said: "We are currently in the process of replacing some 20mph signs which were vandalised.

"The 20mph zone came into force in April this year and we are currently monitoring the effectiveness of the speed limit and it’s impact on safety in the area. 

"We will assess the results of the scheme and then make a decision about whether the speed limit should be made permanent.

"The speed limit is still enforceable while the order is in place, so we would urge all drivers to drive carefully, responsibly and within the speed limit of the road at all times."