In April 2025 Councillors voted to undertake speed surveys and that was implemented in July 2025 when these locations were monitored:

• A6422 – Mill Lane
• A6423 – The Street
• A6424 – Ripe Lane
• A6425 – Church Lane

Results: Are shown in the picture.

Next Steps:

We await Balfour Beatty's community assessment report which will be reviewed by ESCC along with the speed survey results. As soon as I have an update Councillors will discuss at the next available Parish Councill Meeting which you can attend and have your say. Agendas are posted on the website and on the notice boards. You can always contact your Councillor or email me at any time. [email protected]

Background information

On trunk roads, speed limits (in common with other orders regulating traffic) are the responsibility of the Department for Transport (DfT), through its executive agency, Highways England. The County Council (ESCC) has no jurisdiction over this class of road. On all our other roads Orders are made by ESCC subject to the statutory requirements for the advertisement of the proposals and considerations of any objections. The principle determinant of a proposed speed limit should be the appearance and character of the road as described in Appendix A.

Speed Limit Criteria by ESCC for 20MPH: The Route Assessment Below gives an indication of appropriate speed limits.

SPEED LIMIT/ CHARACTER OF ENVIRONMENT: 20 mph Speed Limit Town centres, residential areas, in the vicinity of schools.

CHARACTER OF ROAD: Constrained in terms of vehicle movement with existing conditions or engineered features influencing vehicle speed with available alternative routes for through traffic.

TRAFFIC COMPOSITION: Mean vehicle speed below 24 mph High proportion of vulnerable road users in direct conflict with traffic. Vulnerable road users include pedestrians (particularly children, the elderly and disabled) and cyclists.

20mph Speed Limits and Zones:

20mph speed limits or zones can positively contribute to quality of life and encourage healthier modes of transport such as walking or cycling. They can also help in creating a sense a place, better serving the local communities’ needs. However, to ensure that they are effective, they will only be pursued if the following general criteria are met:

a) It can be demonstrated that there are clear benefits to be gained in terms of casualty reduction, particularly involving vulnerable road users;

b) The lower limit is an integral part of either an area wide traffic calming scheme, a School/ Community Safety Zone or a Town Centre Management Scheme; and

c) The lower limit is effectively self-enforcing