A38 Stoke Heath: Campaigners demand speed limit change

The group, which started the campaign 40 years ago, wants Worcestershire County Council to change the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph on the A38 through Stoke Heath. 

The campaigners are concerned about the number of accidents on the road over the years, including a child being hit, as well as the lack of pedestrian crossings near the children's playground. 

This has made it difficult for children, the elderly and disabled people to safely cross the road. 

The group want the speed limit changed to 30mph (Image: Lisa Callaghan)

Councillor David Nicholl met with the residents at a meeting on Hanbury Turn over the weekend and is set to raise their petition directly with Worcestershire County Council Highways. 

He said: "It was very clear speaking to residents that they have very valid concerns about the speed limit on this stretch of road. 

"The Royal Society for the Protection of Accidents are clear that the risk of a fatal accident for a pedestrian is more than five times greater at 40mph than at 30mph. 

"It has never been more clear that what we need is to kill the speed on this stretch of road before a child gets killed in what is a residential area."

Residents have said they are now at the "end of their tether" and the concerns over the speed of the road have started to affect their mental health. 

According to the group, the Ministry of Transport guidelines suggest the road meets all the criteria to be a maximum 30moh road similar to the A38 in Wychbold and Fernhill Heath. 

The road is currently at 30mph due to the ongoing work on the A38 but the campaigners want to see this change made permanent to protect residents in the area. 

In response to the campaigners, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, Mike Rouse, said: "While I acknowledge the historical context, in my nearly two-year tenure as Cabinet Member for Highways, I have not received any correspondence from any local campaign group or Councillor Dr David Nicholl concerning the speed limit on this road.

“Additionally, it strikes me as peculiar that I was not extended an invitation to the meeting on this subject.

“It’s important to note that Councillor Nicholl, serving as a district councillor, does not hold jurisdiction over speed limits.

“Therefore, I have been collaborating closely with county councillor Kyle Daisley, who has been duly elected to represent the community’s interests on this matter."

Councillor Rouse added that Councillor Daisley was also not invited to the meeting and hopes that the campaigners will reach out to them both so they can work together to address the concerns. 

Anyone wanting to support the campaign is being asked to email Councillor David Nicholl at d.nicholl@bromsgrove.gov.uk