Traffic calming
We have successfully used traffic calming in Kent for many
years.
It helps to improve our quality of life by:
- reducing crashes and casualties
- reducing the speed of traffic
- helping to reduce the amount of traffic in residential
areas.
What do you mean by traffic calming?
Traffic calming is a way of reducing traffic speed or the amount
of traffic (or both) on a particular road. Many different methods
can be used including:
Why do we need traffic calming?
Too much traffic, and traffic that is going too fast, especially
in residential areas, can lead to crashes. These crashes usually
affect the most vulnerable road users, in particular children,
elderly people, pedestrians and cyclists. It has been proved that
traffic calming reduces crashes, casualties, speed and traffic
levels.
Where is traffic calming used?
Traffic calming is generally used in residential areas. The
quality of life for residents can be seriously affected by the
problems that speeding traffic can create.
Why is it not used on main roads?
Traffic calming is about reducing speed. Road humps in
particular, are not suitable for main roads that are used by large
numbers of vehicles, as it would cause delays. For example, this
would cause particular problems if the roads were used by emergency
services, buses and lorries.
Are there any other places where traffic calming is not
suitable?
All traffic calming has to be lit, so there can be problems with
using some traffic calming methods in rural areas.
Are there any problems with traffic calming methods?
Road humps, which are extremely successful at keeping speeds
low, can lead to problems such as fewer parking areas, more noise,
more pollution (when drivers speed up and slow down between one
hump and the next) and possible delays.
However, there is strong support from the public for using road
humps, because it reduces crashes and speed.
Is there an overall plan for traffic calming across Kent?
We have developed a policy to make sure that traffic calming
across Kent is high quality and consistent. This policy is based on
the Department for Transport's rules and guidelines.
There is a problem with speeding traffic near my home. Who
should I tell about this problem?
Contact us so we can investigate the problem. We'll need to know
if other residents have similar views, and whether the problem
happens all the time or just at specific times. You may also find
it useful to ask your local town or parish council for their
view.
What happens when you have identified a problem area?
If it is a problem that can be helped by traffic
calming, we will develop a plan. This includes:
- estimating the cost
- bidding for funds.
There is usually a high demand for funding, so areas with the
greatest problems come first.
Once the funds are agreed, we put together a design for the
traffic calming plan and show it to the public.
This may be by inviting people to an exhibition or by sending
people a letter that explains the plan. This gives you the
opportunity to comment on the plan before it happens. Sometimes you
can get involved in helping with the design of the plan.
We will also talk to the emergency services and other groups
that may be affected by the traffic calming plan. The final
decision on whether the plan goes ahead is made by us.
Dangerous road junctions
We are constantly monitoring our road network to see where we
can improve road safety, and how best to do it.
Requests or comments from the public can help us to identify
locations where problems regularly occur. This may include concerns
about the safety of individual road junctions, requests for
pedestrian crossings, traffic calming measures, such as road humps,
or warning signs.