Families want speed camera on Stoke-on-Trent A34 as bikers hit 90mph

Families are calling for a speed camera on part of the A34. Stoke-on-Trent City Counci[1]l reduced the speed limit on the northbound carriageway of the A34 Stone Road, near Hanford[2] roundabout, from 40mph to 30mph after residents complained they could not get in and out of their drives safely due to motorists travelling too fast. But Stone Road residents say the speed limit cut has not solved the problem. Now they want a speed camera installed.

Pete Johnson, aged 72, said: "We are talking about wagons and buses doing 48mph in a 30mph zone. Some motorists are doing 50mph or 60mph. "It is still a nightmare.

I have lived here 25 years and never known it as bad. The only thing that would stop it is a camera. I have not seen a mobile speed camera here since they changed the speed on this side of the road to 30mph in 2023.

Motorcyclists do 90mph along here on Saturday afternoons. They love it. Only a speed camera can stop it.

"There are three sets of cameras on the Trent Vale[3] side of the roundabout up to Tesco and a couple more on the way to Newcastle.[4] Why can't they stick one here? It is an accident waiting to happen. At these speeds they are not going to knock anybody over, they are going to kill them.

"A lot of kids come from Trentham Academy and St Joseph's College. They walk on the road. They are taking their lives in their own hands.

"I am still struggling to get in and out of my drive. Some neighbours say it is worse now. You do not know if the cars are doing 30mph.

Some do 30mph, the odd few. You do not know whether to go or not. Some of them are doing 60mph or 70mph.

They know there is no deterrent." Neighbour Tina Yates, aged 67, added: "It needs a camera. They are still coming too fast.

It has got worse. It is dangerous. It would be good if they get a camera.

They made it 30mph. We thought that would help. It hasn't.

When we get a camera, that will do it as nobody wants a fine." Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) is in charge of road safety. Its co-chairman Dave Evans said: "It's important that all areas receive equal treatment and enforcement across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

To that end, all partners within the SSRP have an agreed criteria to meet when it comes to speed enforcement. Naturally, we look to target those areas of highest risk from speeding, a process which is reviewed constantly. We are looking at what options would be suitable to improve safety in Hanford."

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References

1. ^ Stoke-on-Trent City Counci (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
2. ^ Hanford (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
3. ^ Trent Vale (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
4. ^ Newcastle. (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
5. ^ Get daily headlines and breaking news emailed to you - it's FREE (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)