Petition launched to lower speed limit on 60mph Datchet stretch

A petition has been launched to lower the speed limit on a 60mph stretch in Datchet, which has been plagued by ‘people driving at excessive speeds’.

Resident Kerry Jones has launched an e-petition to lower the speed limit on Riding Court Road from 60mph to 40mph.

Ms Jones, a building manager at Botanica Ditton Park, said the road’s speed has been a concern for residents for a long time.

She said many people working along Riding Court Road struggle to emerge onto the road, with ‘many driving faster than the speed limit’.

Cyclists also use the road, but many riders choose to cycle on the footpath because of the high speed of vehicles.

Ms Jones believes the overgrown hedging on the footpath makes the path too narrow for both cyclists and pedestrians to use.

She said people often get scratched by the hedges and some have ‘ripped their clothing’ whilst trying to walk on the path.

The issue has been raised with the council.

Ms Jones said: “[Cyclists] are unable to cycle on the actual road where they’re meant to because it’s such a fast road, so they then have to cycle on the footpath which obviously causes problems for pedestrians.

“The footpath is so overgrown constantly that [pedestrians] have no choice but to step into the road. There are trees and hedging all the way along the road which makes the footpath literally about a foot wide.

“We’re just looking to decrease the speed limit for everyone’s safety.”

Ward councillor David Buckley (Reform, Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury) has also supported the e-petition.

He agreed that Riding Court Road is not only dangerous for drivers but also for cyclists and pedestrians.

Cllr Buckley said: “I think the main issue is that there is a part of the road which is 60mph between two 30mph limits.

“There doesn’t seem to be a point why you would have 30pmh at the start of the road and 30mph at the end of the road and 60mph in the middle.”

The concerns also follow the death of Langley motorcyclist Daniel Shipton after he was involved in a collision with the driver of a blue Mini on Riding Court Road on July 16.

A 39-year-old man from Birmingham was arrested on suspicion of murder and causing death by dangerous driving and released on bail until October 16 as part of the ongoing police investigation.

Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury councillor Jodie Grove (Ind)  said: “I’m in full support of the petition and any formal review into the speed limits on Riding Court Road.

“Given we have had another fatality here, and this stretch is known for people driving at excessive speeds, to me it would feel remiss of us to do nothing.

“Reducing the speed, and having support to enforce the new speed limit, would undoubtedly help make the road safer for all users.”

Councillor Geoff Hill, the cabinet member for highways and transport, said that residents have every right to petition.

He added: “I’m very pro cutting down on speeding traffic across the borough.”

A Royal Borough spokesperson said: “The petition will be considered in line with the council’s usual protocol.”

Visit tinyurl.com/y2fy7p39 to view the petition.