Speed ​​reduction plan for Coventry suburb scrapped due to ‘limited funding’

Coventry Council has scrapped plans for new speed bumps in an area of ​​the city. It will stop installing two more ‘raised tables’ in Earlsdon after a ‘cost review’.

The signs, a kind of flat-topped road hump that slows cars at junctions, were part of a council plan to manage traffic in the suburb. The final scheme which includes a 20mph zone was approved in April.

But residents were told this month the council could not carry out two projects due to “limited funding”. Work will not continue at Spencer Road/Dalton Road and Beechwood Avenue/Warwick Avenue, the letter said.

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It added that “phase one” of the wider scheme will start this week, on May 28. Responding to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the council confirmed that it means these junctions will not receive raised tables and none will have a facelift.

A spokesman said it was due to a “cost review” of both plans. The overarching scheme called a ‘livable neighbourhood’ is being funded by a WMCA charity and transport grant of £770,000, according to documents from the January meeting.

The controversial project includes new crossings and “point” closures that prevent cars from driving on some roads. It also includes raised tables at three intersections.

A February traffic order statement said they would “provide a ‘step-free’ pedestrian route at these junctions and also reduce traffic speeds, contributing to the area-wide effect of the scheme, supporting the 20 mph”. But now only one will go forward, at Broadway/Belvedere Road.

A council spokesman said: “The decision has been taken not to proceed with previous proposed works for a raised mass and road appearance changes at the junction of Spencer Road and Dalton Road following a cost assessment and also some local doubts about the removal of the existing pedestrian island.

“Also, the proposed elevated table at the junction of Beechwood Avenue and Stoneleigh Avenue was also withdrawn due to a cost review, as changes to parking and other nearby measures were deemed sufficient to meet local needs.

“It is important to note that the Liveable Neighborhood went through two phases of consultation with local residents. Between December 2022 and March 2023 we received over 1500 comments about the things people living and working in Earlsdon would like to see improved.

“From these a design was developed and this was consulted on last year which received over 6000 comments. We worked hard to balance this feedback with cost assessment to develop the final designs.”

Work on the scheme begins

Work to install the scheme began this week, May 28. The council said it would avoid working during major events and remove traffic management during this weekend’s Motofest.

There are three projects that are part of the “first phase” of measures, including one that could take two months. These are:

• A toucan crossing on Albany Road and the extension of the existing cycleway. It is expected to take about two months and will require two-way and four-way traffic lights at times
• Traffic calming features on Beechwood Avenue at the Tennis Club, improvements to the guardrail at the elbow between the Tennis Club and Golf Club and a new pedestrian island at the Golf Club
• A raised table at the intersection of Broadway and Belvedere Road to slow traffic and improve the pedestrian crossing route in the park.

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