Since the installation of speed bumps along Ffordd Penrhwylfa in Prestatyn and Meliden, I have received a number of complaints from residents in the vicinity, as well as those who use the road regularly. The speed bumps span the entire length of Ffordd Penrhywlfa and, whilst they are generally appreciated in the area around the primary school mini-roundabout, it is felt by many that they are excessive.
Whilst I was aware there was general unhappiness with the measures, I felt it was important to gauge the strength of feeling locally and to ensure that those with opposing views were provided an opportunity to share their thoughts. Therefore, I circulated a survey to those living in the immediate area and received over 350 responses.
Over 70% of respondents felt the speed bumps negatively impact them, with concerns raised over the frequency and the dimensions of the bumps; damage caused to cars; noise and air pollution; and diversion of traffic to surrounding streets.
Although some respondents did identify limited benefits, many would like to see the bumps replaced with alternative traffic calming options (e.g. speed cameras and signage), or a reduction in the size and the number of the speed bumps.
I raised the concerns received with Denbighshire County Council’s Highways department for their consideration and received the following response:
• The road hump project formed part of a “Safe Routes in Communities” project which cost a total of £181k and was implemented in 2020. £166k of this total was funded from the Welsh Government’s Safe Routes in Communities grant which Denbighshire County Council had been successful in applying for. The purpose of this grant is for carrying out measures which improve the actual and/or perceived safety of the highway network to encourage greater levels of walking and cycling amongst the community. Often, as in this case, projects are focused on schools to encourage more children (and their parents) to walk or cycle to school. As you’ll be aware, greater levels of walking and cycling for the school journey reduce the amount of traffic on the road, reduces air pollution and encourages healthier, more active lifestyles.
• The project was identified because of numerous concerns raised by the local community about excessive vehicle speeds along Ffordd Penrhwylfa and Ceg y Ffordd; because of road traffic collisions and also reports of near-misses; and because of concerns raised by the school relating to the safety of school children whilst walking and cycling to and from school.
• The aims of the project were to improve the safety of local children walking, cycling or using scooters both on the school journey and outside of school times. Other aims were to reduce vehicle speeds along the length of the route; improve the safety of pedestrian crossing points; to promote active and sustainable modes of transport as an alternative to the private car; and to reduce collision and near-misses.
• The project was developed in close association with Ysgol Clawdd Offa and the two previous County Councillors. An independent study was commissioned in 2018-19 in response to the above concerns. The consultant undertaking the study carried out site visits, considered the concerns/complaints raised by the local community and made reference to quantitative data such as traffic speed and collision data.
• As the design of the project developed further, two public engagement sessions were arranged. One session took place at the Deva Church in Prestatyn, and a second session took place at the Meliden Community Centre. Local residents were made aware of the engagement sessions through a letter drop that took place.
• As well as the introduction of speed cushions and flat-topped road humps; the project saw the introduction of raised Zebra crossings to improve the safety of pupils and parents crossing to and from Ysgol Clawdd Offa. Amendments were also made to the physical layout of the mini-roundabout in order to reduce the speed of vehicles using the roundabout.
• In order to monitor the effectiveness of the project, we carried out pre-scheme and post-scheme surveys of traffic speeds and flows. These surveys show that at different points along Ceg y Ffordd and Ffordd Penrhwylfa, 85th percentile vehicle speeds were in the range of 29-36 mph prior to the introduction of the project. Post-implementation of the project, the 85th percentile speeds had reduce to in the range of 20 to 28 mph. In other words, the project has resulted in typical speed reductions of 8-9 mph.
I note from your letter, that 150 of your survey respondents reported having incurred damage to their vehicles. On this point, it is important to note that the dimensions of road humps are set out in the Highways (Road Hump) Regulations 1999. These dimensions were developed followed extensive trials by the Transport Research Laboratory on behalf of the Department for Transport over many years. This included monitoring the effects of different types and different dimensions of hump on a variety of different motor vehicles. The research also considered the impact of different types of humps on noise and ground-borne vibration in a variety of differing types of sub-soil beneath the road construction layers. The road humps implemented in this project are a pre-fabricated type, manufactured with small tolerances and to dimensions that are well-within the maximums stipulated by the Regulations. As an example, the maximum permitted overall height of a road hump is 100mm compared to the surrounding road level. The humps/speed cushions on this project are 75mm high.
In regard to the question of whether some of the humps can be omitted, the guidance for road humps recommends a maximum spacing of 70 metres for speed cushions to avoid excessive acceleration and speeding between humps. Similarly, a length of road that is subject to road humps must have humps placed along its entire length. The purpose of this is to avoid a situation where a vehicle is travelling at speed along a road and suddenly encounters a set of road humps, which could effectively act as a “launch ramp” or cause a vehicle to swerve dangerously.
Unfortunately, Vehicle Activated Signs, do not achieve anywhere near to the speed reductions that road humps realise, with 1-3 mph being more typical for the former.
Speed cameras have strict criteria set for their introduction, which requires a significant number of personal injury road traffic collisions where traffic speeds have been identified as contributory factors.
We will continue to review the situation and monitor all data and feedback that we receive in relation to this project.
Following receipt of this response, I spoke directly to Graham Boase, Chief Executive of Denbighshire County Council to make him aware of the local concerns and to ask that he considers a modified, common sense, solution. The council promised to re-evaluate the situation.
I am told that council officers and ward Councillors met on site to discuss the future of the speed bumps. Disappointingly, I received the following response: “In summary, the speed humps will remain as they are. We have listened to the concerns; however the design and size of the humps are well within the guidelines for local authorities and have been very effective in reducing speeds and collisions/accidents.”
I find this to be an extremely disappointing response, particularly taking into account the significant opposition to this scheme and the genuine concerns that have been shared with the council. I struggle to understand how any statistically significant data on collisions and accidents can have been drawn over the few years they have been in place. I have asked the council to provide me with more information on this.
It is clear from residents that these speed bumps are considered excessive, resulting in damage to cars, and negatively affecting the surrounding roads, which are often being used to bypass the bumps. I would suggest they are particularly unnecessary if the council also believes that a 20mph speed limit should be retained along the entirety of the road.
I will continue to make representations to persuade the council to change its approach.
