Petition for Oakham speed camera reaches 250 signatures but is controversial amongst locals

A petition launched two weeks ago to implement better speed controls on Ashwell Road in Oakham has reached over 250 signatures but sparked controversy with locals. 

The petition^[1], which was launched by Roxanne Sugars, is asking for a speed camera to be added to the busy road, along with full-width speed bumps and an increase in 20mph signs. 

The local police have already released a response saying "as Ashwell Road is subject to a 20mph limit and has traffic calming, I regret that the Police Road Safety Unit are unable to offer anything additional to the measures in place. The traffic calming should be sufficient for controlling vehicle speeds." 

Sugars believes that the reckless behaviour of drivers on this road causes a significant threat to the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. 

While this proposal has gained some traction with residents, some think that the attention of the council should be prioritised elsewhere. 

One individual took to Facebook to say: "The road already has 4-5 speedbumps and a chicane, what about all the other roads in town that actually need something." 

Another wrote: "This road is already littered with speed bumps and 20mph already. The speed bumps about rip the bottom off your car already. I think they need to not waste money on more speed bumps and concentrate on fixing the roads. Every road has 10 pot holes or more." 

However, people also came out in defence of Roxanne's petition. Rutland Councillor Mark Chatfield has backed the petition and joined Roxanne's mission to improve road safety. 

One individual that signed the petition commented on Change.org^[2] saying: "On a daily occasion, I walk this route to take my children to school. Multiple vehicles have failed to slow down even with the speed bumps – they just go in between them. 

"I see cars breaking harshly or swerving out the way on children riding bikes on the correct side of the road and cars failing to stop at the zebra crossing whilst me and my children are waiting to cross. With a busy road, especially at school times and early evenings with children going to and from school, it's becoming very unsafe." 

Despite conflicting opinions about whether or not Ashwell Road needs better traffic calming measures, one uniting opinion is that the roads around Oakham are getting more congested and the road surfaces need a lot of repair work.