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In line with Merton’s commitment to reduce vehicular speeds throughout the borough through a 20mph zone or a 20mph speed limit, funding has been allocated for 2008/09 financial year to convert existing traffic calmed roads within the borough into 20mph zones/speed limits. Among these proposed areas is the Ashbourne Road area, bounded by Ashbourne Road (inclusive) to the north, Streatham Road to the south and east, and London Road to the west, which is being considered for a 20mph speed limit. Please see the enclosed plan for the area.
A 20mph speed limit or 20mph zone is a dedicated area where improving safety and maintaining the quality of life for local residents takes precedence over the general objective to ease traffic movement. Traffic speeds within this area are not to exceed 20mph.
For a 20mph zone, traffic calming features in the form of road humps; speed cushions; road closures; one way systems; pedestrian refuge islands and road narrowings would have to be introduced to achieve a legal and self-enforceable zone. A 20mph speed limit, however, does not require any traffic calming features as part of the legal requirements except for the introduction of appropriate signs, which are mounted at all the entry points into the area and road markings.
As Ashbourne Road and Gorringe Park Avenue are the only roads within the proposed area with traffic calming features, additional traffic calming measures would have to be installed on the other roads at a maximum distance of approximately 100 metres apart to satisfy the legal requirements for the 20mph zone. The roads without any traffic calming features are Manship Road, Framfield Road, Uckfield Grove, St James Road, Figges Road, St Barnabas Road, Woodland Way, Milton Road, Inglemere Road, Grenfell Road, Sirdar Road, Bruce Road, Stanley Gardens, Haton Road, Tynemouth Road, Thirsk Road, Stanley Road, Edenvale Road, Carlingford Gardens.
Due to the large number of traffic calming features required for the implementation of a 20mph zone it has been agreed that a 20mph limit shall be introduced. The introduction of a 20mph limit shall require signage to be installed at all the entry points into the area and no additional traffic calming features.
A Notice of the council’s intentions to make the Traffic Management Order (TMO) for the above measures will be published in the local newspaper, London Gazette and posted on lamp columns in the vicinity. Representations for and against must be done in writing to the Head of Street Scene and Waste Management Division, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX by no later than 17 October 2008, quoting reference ES/SGE/ASHBOURNERD20MPH.
Anyone who opposes the scheme must state the grounds upon which their objection is made. We also welcome letters in support.
Please note that responses to any representation received will not be made until a final decision is made by the Cabinet Member. The Council is required to give weight to the nature and content of your representations and not necessarily the quantity. Your reasons are, therefore, important to us.
A plan identifying the area affected by the proposal can be inspected at North Eastern Mitcham Community Centre, Woodlands Way, Mitcham and at Merton Link, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey during the council’s working hours, Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.
Please note that the outcome of the consultation, along with officers’ recommendations will be reported to either the Street Management Advisory Committee on 4 November 2008 or, if appropriate, earlier to the Cabinet Member for a decision. Once a decision is made, local residents will be informed accordingly via a newsletter.
Traffic and Highways Services
Merton Civic Centre
London Road
Morden
SM4 5DX
Telephone: 020 8545 3948
Fax: 020 8545 4865
Email: trafficandhighways@merton.gov.uk
