Control Speed Limit on A308 Lethal Road

An eighteen year old woman recently suffered serious head injuries after she was hit by an articulated lorry as she walked along the Furze Platt road near the Robin Hood pub. There is no footpath. The driver tried to break and swerve but it was too late. Local campaigners have branded the stretch of road a potential death trap.

Just a few 100m further on from here the speed limit is reduced to 40mph, just before Pinkneys Drive. Sadly it was just beyond this junction that there was a fatality in the summer A jogger was also seriously injured when hit by a car in almost the identical spot.

The current speed limit of the A308 is 60 mph from Bisham roundabout through to the junction with Pinkneys Drive. Cars and lorries fly over the blind brow of the hill at the Golden Ball Lane junction – sometimes even overtaking at the same time. It is impossible for them to see walkers & horse riders trying to cross this A road over to Pinkneys Green. It is also a danger for cars trying to turn left or right onto the road and particularly difficult turning out of Golden Ball Lane. Local residents and visitors report many near accidents and daily problems coping.

If we can reduce the speed limits right along the A 308 and improve traffic signs and bring in no overtaking, we will avoid more accidents and fatalities. The local campaign is supported by local residents, counsellor Kathy Newbound, and the local National Trust warden.

The RBWM’s website states that “the research indicates that better control of vehicle speeds at hazards such as bends and junctions would be a more effective way of reducing casualties on rural main roads that a reduction in the national speed limit’. It also states that “hit by a car at 40 mph 9 out of 10 pedestrians will be killed”. It does not state the impact of being hit by one of the many lorries that use this road.

Please join us by signing this petition. And help make all our lives safer.