From our Local County Councillor
At the beginning of September the Government released a consultation paper
proposing a more graduated approach to curbing speeding drivers.
With this as background it is worth looking to see where we are in this part of Cambridgeshire regarding traffic calming, speed checks, provision of bridle and cycleways and offers of training now for motor cyclists and later for drivers.
Firstly, traffic calming, a campaign I have encouraged for years, increasingly supported by parish councils and individual petitions to the County. We now have, by common consent, much better driver behaviour in Swaffham Prior, Bottisham and in particular Burwell. Of course, there are idiots in a hurry or lacking consideration for others who spoil the record, for example the drivers who drive the wrong side of the traffic islands at Lode crossroads and the junction of the Al303 and Bell Road, Bottisham.
I have just returned from a Speed Awareness Course in Staffordshire (starting in Cambridgeshire in 12 months time) and came away with several vivid impressions. Yes, speed kills; we all know that, but are you aware at all times that 95% of pedestrians are killed when hit by a vehicle at 30 mph, whereas 95% of pedestrians survive at 20 mph!
On the course, which is offered to drivers who exceed 30 mph but under 40 mph, there is a morning session of theory and discussion followed by an afternoon driving round Staffordshire with an instructor checking and discussing skills, judgment and habits and so on. My other deep impression from that drive was to practice "COAST" which translates to "Concentration, Observation.and Anticipation gives Space and Time to avoid trouble".
Travelling home on the notorious A5 gave more than enough opportunity to carry out my hitherto rusty skills.
132 Kv Electric transmission line Burwell to Horningsea
A few days after this article goes to your editor a decision will be taken at Shire Hall about whether the County will reverse its holding objection to the proposal to duplicate the power line which runs from Burwell Sub-station through our fens via Reach, Swaffhams & Lode to the junction at Horningsea.
I shall speak to the meeting and tell you what happened next month. Whatever the decision, the County (and involved Districts of E.Cambs and S.Cambs) will only pass on a recommendation. The decision will be taken by the Secretary of State, so we may not know the outcome for some time.