Speeding reduced

A SPEED survey in Whitchurch in November suggests that average speeds of drivers has reduced.

Wires were laid down for nine days in High Street in November to measure traffic speeds and flow in both directions.

Sixty-five per cent of 9,694 drivers travelling southbound and 61 per cent of 9,020 drivers travelling northbound had speeds recorded between 15mph and 25mph.

This is more than a 2018 survey where 49 per cent of drivers travelling northbound and 56 per cent travelling southbound had speeds of between 15mph and 25 mph.

Twenty-three per cent of northbound drivers and 20 per cent of southbound drivers had speeds of between 25mph and 35mph in November, compared to 35 per cent and 31 per cent in 2018.

The highest recorded speed was between 65mph to 70mph by two cars driving northbound between 10am and 11am.

Data was collected to help inform future speedwatch sessions and additional measures which may be needed to boost speed awareness.

Parish councillor Frances Parkes said: “Given the sheer volume of traffic going up and down the High Street with some alarmingly high speeds as well as cyclists and mobility scooter users, there is a strong case for additional measures such as speed indicator devices.

“The parish council and members of the speedwatch group are discussing these possibilities with Oxfordshire County Council.”