CAMPAIGNERS have this week launched a petition urging Hampshire County Council to extend the current Alton town centre 20mph zone to include Ackender Road, Queens Road, and other neighbouring residential roads in the Westbrooke and Whitedown wards.
This area is already in part covered by a Traffic Regulation Order which restricts entry to vehicles needing access and which should prohibit through traffic but, at present, is forced to provide authorised and non-authorised diversionary routes related to road and bridge work at The Butts.
Mike Gray, chairman of the Ackender Road Residents’ Association said that at their last two AGMs residents had voted unanimously to push for the town’s 20mph zone to be extended to include Ackender Road, in a bid to “reduce rat-running, make conditions safer for pedestrians and cyclists, and improve the environment by reducing traffic noise and pollution”.
Also, to widen the area covered to embrace neighbouring roads such as Highridge, Kings Road, Kingsland Road, Langham Road, Princess Drive, Queens Road, Rack Close Road and Westbrooke Road, and to invite all residents over the age of 18 to sign the petition, which will be taken door to door during September and October.
The intention is to present the petition to Alton Town Council in the hope of gaining its support before taking it to the county council.
Ackender Road resident, Clare Allen feels the reduction from 30 to 20mph could mean the difference between life and death for anyone hit be a moving vehicle: “Residential areas are by definition home to children, the elderly, people in wheelchairs or mobility scooters as well as cyclists, and even pets. Motorists should defer to these other road users. I don’t think 20mph is unreasonable.”
Queens Road resident, Adrian Friend added: “In an era of climate emergencies we need to take the idea of 20mph towns very seriously.”