The 85th percentile speed is almost identical to the SID surveys taken during the first quarter last year, but now we know the true volume of traffic, i.e. about a car every 30 second during a daylight hours. Unfortunately we have not been able to get individual car speeds, which would have shown us how many cars were travelling faster than 45 mph. You may be interested to know that Northbound, towards Twyford, the 85th percentile speed for a 7 day average over a 12 hour period was 41.7 mph.

The second survey from the south towards Hurst, located near Orchard Road, has just been completed (approximately 23rd May). We hope will not have to wait a month to see these results, as the next stage in the process, is for Highways to submit the proposal to the WDC Executive. The earliest this can be is the 28th July Executive meeting, but it is likely that we will have to wait until 29th September.

The Parish Council Meet on 13th December 2004 to discuss the propsal put forward by Wokingham District Council for two Vehicle Activated Signs in Hurst. The poropsal is to put one to the south of the village, just before Orchard Road. The second would be sited to the north, opposite the Elephant and Castle (see maps below). WDC also requested that the the Parish Coucil fund one of the signs.

The Parish Council has agreed to fund one of the signs, with 50% of the £7000 being generously pledged by the Hurst Village Society. The proposal will now go forward to the next Highways Board meeting in February/March.

During January and February 2 more SID surveys will take place.

• Davis Street near the entrance to Dinton Pastures on 31 January 2005 between 15.30 and 16.30 approximately.
• A321 approaching the bend at the junction with Orchard Road on 1 February 2005 between 10.00 and 11.00 approximately.

The above pictures were taken on 23rd April at the site of the newly installled Vehicle Activated Sign in Bearwood Road, Barkham.

As a speeding car approaches, the sign flashes to warn the driver that they are breaking the speed limit.

Bearwood Road is one of the first to have this type of sign, and was choosen because of the high number of accidents atributed to excessive speed. As can be seen from the 3rd picture the speeding car breaks immediately to a safe speed.

At the meeting of the Highways Board, Wokingham District Council, on 15th July 2003 (see an extract of the agenda), it was decided to go ahead with the installation of a Vehicle Activated Sign in Bearwood Road. The 85th percentile speed was measured at 39, 49 and 50 mph at the site (40 mph speed limit). Also it was reported that there had been 2 serious accidents resulting in personal injury. The cost of the installation was estimated to be £7000.

A vehicle speed survey using SID (Speed Indication Device) was carried out on Broadwater Lane, near the Gospel Hall on Friday 2nd April 2004. Between 12:00 and 13:00, the speed of 63 vehicles were recorded in this 30-mph zone. The 85-percentile speed was calculated to be 45mph. Clearly something needs to be done, before we too have a serious accident.

St Nicholas Hurst Parish Council has been considering requests from parishioners to look into methods of traffic management within our village.

Despite the welcome reduction in speed limits in parts of the village, car users continue to drive at excessive speed. Complaints have been received from users of the A321 both north and south bound into the village centre, Hinton Road from the B3018 end, Lodge Road where it meets Sawpit Lane and Forest Road.

Vehicle speed is a critical factor affecting a pedestrian’s chances of survival, at 20mph, 9 out of 10 will survive, where as at 40mph, 9 out of 10 will die. Traditionally the main forms of traffic calming have been physical restrictions, such as road humps, road narrowing or chicanes which are generally cheaper, but are generally disliked by emergency services and bus operators. Electronic enforcement, such as speed cameras are costly to install and maintain, need police agreement, and often do not alter drivers attitude to speed.

A large scale evaluation of vehicle activated signs has been carried out by TRL Limited (360k) for the Department of Transport. The report concludes that using such signs:

1. A substantial accident reduction was demonstrated.
2. Traffic speeds were very effectively reduced.
3. Signs can be operated at thresholds well below normal police enforcement levels.
4. There is no evidence that in time, drivers become less responsive to the signs.
5. There is a high level of driver acceptance.
6. Operating costs are low.

St Nicholas Hurst Parish Council is very keen to work with WDC's Traffic Management Team to trial vehicle activated signs in Hurst.

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