Campaign victory for Burntwood as speed limit reduced
A new traffic scheme has been brought in on a busy road in Burntwood following a long-running campaign and ending five years of misery for residents.
Princess Street in Burntwood has been plagued by speeding drivers and parking issues but the new system now keeps motorists to a 20mph limit from 30mph and includes additional double yellow lines.
Chase Terrace Councillor Eric Drinkwater and Staffordshire County Councillor Susan Woodward, for Burntwood North, have been working closely with residents to find a solution for some of the traffic problems for more than two years.
They say complaints have been flooding in for at least five years.
Residents were consulted on a number of options, including making a section of the street in Chase Terrace one-way.
No clear consensus emerged on changing traffic flows but the street and roads off it now have a 20mph zone in force.
More double yellow lines have also been put in place to address some of the worst problems with parked cars.
County Councillor Woodward, who is also a Lichfield district councillor for Chase Terrace, said: "It has taken a long time to get the new scheme in place, which has been very frustrating at times, but the new restrictions are ones which the majority of residents taking part in the consultations agreed to and we hope they will make a significant difference without being too intrusive.
"It's now up to residents to ensure that the restrictions are honoured by drivers using these streets by referring drivers flouting them to the police."
Councillor Drinkwater said the new scheme would go a long way towards alleviating traffic concerns, although admitted it may not entirely solve all of the problems.
He added: "The fact is that there are far more cars on these narrow residential roads than was ever thought of.
"There's no perfect solution and, while this new scheme won't solve all of the problems, it will go a long way towards it.
"We would urge residents to note the registration numbers of cars which exceed the speed limit or park on the double yellows and to report them to the police.
"Alternatively, they can contact me or Sue and we'll follow it up. We can't do the job of the police but are happy to continue the job of representing residents."
