TWO new reasons not to speed have been introduced on the Warwick Road in Kenilworth.
The speed limit has been reduced from 50mph to 30mph on a larger stretch of the road and speed cushions have also been introduced.
The 30mph speed limit now starts just after the cricket pitch – an extension of 230 metres.
And a total of eight speed cushions, approximately 65 metres apart, will be added to the road as well as associated street lighting.
The speed limiting measures have been introduced after concerns were raised by some 200 residents of the new Pavilions development who felt the 50mph limit was impacting on their safety.
There is also set to be an increase in traffic using the Warwick Road due to proposed housing developments for Kenilworth School Sixth Form and Warwickshire Police’s headquarters at Leek Wootton, together with the relocation of Kenilworth Rugby Club.
Construction work for the HS2 scheme and planned improvements to the Thickthorn Roundabout on the A46 also mean that Warwick Road will be the only main road access into town while the work is completed.
The street lighting will be paid for through the Section 106 agreement with Bovis Homes, developers of the Pavilions housing development. The speed cushions are to be funded by Kenilworth Town Council through its Community Infrastructure Levy fund.
County councillor for Kenilworth St Johns, Rik Spencer, said: “Residents of the Pavilions have said that the speed of the cars travelling past the junction to the development makes them feel unsafe and isolated. This work will have a really positive impact on that.”
WCC’s transport spokesperson Coun Jan Matecki added: “There was wide consultation on the proposals and a high level of feedback, with over 95 per cent of local stakeholders in support.
“The county council is very satisfied that the speed cushions and the 30mph speed limit will not only be the most cost-effective measures but will also do the most to ensure the safety of road users – vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists – in the forthcoming years, with the road’s envisaged pattern of use.”
