Coventry Live readers have been sharing mixed views after Coventry City Council unveiled plans to extend a 30mph speed limit on part of Coundon Wedge Drive as part of efforts to improve road safety.
The proposed Traffic Regulation Order would extend the existing 30mph limit from the roundabout junction with Long Lane, Wall Hill Road and Brownshill Green Road, continuing south west for around 66 metres to a point beyond the junction with Sayer Drive.
According to the council, the change forms part of the wider Coundon Cycle Scheme, which aims to improve connections between the city centre and surrounding communities. The order states that the lower speed limit would help improve safety and support the new cycling infrastructure.
The proposal has prompted debate among Coventry Live readers, with some welcoming measures designed to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians, while others have questioned whether reducing the speed limit on such a short stretch of road is necessary.
Residents can inspect the proposed order either at the Council House on Earl Street or via the council’s website.
Anyone wishing to object to the plans must do so in writing, outlining the reasons for their objection. Responses can be sent by post to Mr Parkes, Place Team, Legal Services, PO Box 7097, Council House, Coventry CV6 9SL, or by email. The deadline for objections is June 25.
Commenter Cov100 complains: “This city is becoming a joke. Dual carriageways at 30mph, you may as well just stop people driving altogether. Who’s actually asking the people who live here if they want this? Nobody seems to want more cycle lanes, yet they just keep putting them in. It feels like they don’t bother listening anymore, they just make the decisions and spend our money on things most people never asked for.”
Spitfire617 says: “I’ve never seen a cyclist on this path, and I live locally, so I drive and walk along there regularly. I thought the reduction of speed limits had to be the result of accidents, I’m not aware of this area being a problem?”
Jefft retorts: It’s daft to pretend bikes don’t exist. The same people who say ‘I’ve never seen anyone use that cycle lane’ are often the ones saying ‘Sorry mate, I didn’t see you’ or ‘You came out of nowhere’ after nearly hitting a cyclist. Then they’ll turn around and complain they can’t go into the city centre because there are too many bikes. You can’t have it both ways.
“This is a 10mph reduction on just 66 metres of road leaving a roundabout, until the cycle lane separates from traffic. Drivers should be slowing for the roundabout anyway and accelerating again on the way out, so the actual time lost is about a second at most. Hardly a war on motorists. The new cycle lane also removes a potential conflict point between cyclists and drivers, which could mean fewer collisions, fewer delays and fewer road closures.”
Jason B asks: “Why wasn’t this mentioned when the cycle path proposals were put forward? If cyclists are being separated from traffic, surely that removes the need to lower the speed limit in the first place. This road has been 40mph for more than 30 years, so where’s the evidence that a reduction is needed now? I’ve looked at the council website and all the details are there, but if you want to object you have to send a letter. There’s no simple online process. It almost feels like they’re making objections as awkward as possible to help push through another change that many people never asked for.”
Thedaddy1969 retorts: “I don’t know what the problem is, 30 more an hour is a great speed limit. If you want to break the law and speed then you are the ones that have a problem with this. Just look at all the data, slower speeds less deaths.”
Jane G agrees: “They should make the length of Coundon Wedge Drive 30mph, based on the speed some idiots drive at along that road, HGV’S included!”
Carole F thinks: “Coventry City Council, give your heads a wobble. People are fed up with these money-making schemes. That speed limit doesn’t need to be that low.”
Andy F replies: “Aww, is the council spoiling a bit of fun? In the real world, people are seriously injured and killed because of speeding.”
Do you think a short stretch of 30mph is a sensible safety measure, or just overkill for such a small section of road? Coventry Live readers have been split on this, so what’s your view?
