Brinsworth Lane safety scheme to go ahead without planned 20mph limit

Brinsworth councillors fear a 20mph limit outside schools “will never happen” after it was dropped from a road safety scheme.

Councillors Adam and Charlotte Carter welcomed proposed road humps and pedestrian improvements on Brinsworth Lane but warned that leaving the lower speed limit out could mean it never receives funding.

The scheme covers the stretch between Bawtry Road and Croft Road, with construction estimated to cost £85,000.

In a joint statement, the Liberal Democrat councillors said: “It’s really dangerous outside the Brinsworth Manor Schools for schoolchildren, particularly at pick-up and drop-off time.”

They said improving safety outside the schools had been a priority for years and welcomed the traffic calming measures progressing.

However, they added: “Removing the 20mph scheme is a real concern and we think that all schools should have 20mph zones as standard.”

Plans for the lower limit were dropped from the current proposals after a safety audit in May raised concerns about drivers moving from a new 20mph limit on Brinsworth Lane onto neighbouring residential streets where the limit would remain 30mph.

A report by Rotherham Council highway officers says further checks are needed to establish speeds on those side roads and whether a wider 20mph limit would be appropriate. The current scheme’s funding and scope cover only Brinsworth Lane.

The councillors questioned the need for a broader scheme, saying: “The suggestion of a wider 20mph scheme seems to be overkill and making everywhere 20mph in Brinsworth is not something we would support.”

They fear the proposed limit outside the schools could be left without funding if it is separated from the current work.

Officers are recommending that the road humps go ahead without the lower limit, saying they would help slow traffic on the residential route, which serves Brinsworth Manor Junior School and the parish council’s community centre.

However, the report acknowledges that humps alone may not reduce speeds as much as combining them with a 20mph limit. Some drivers could also continue travelling at inappropriate speeds.

The report records no objections from police or local councillors during consultation. One response was received from the consultation with residents and parish councillors, questioning whether drivers would comply with the proposed 20mph limit.

Funding for the work is already included in the council’s transport budget, but the report gives no firm construction date.

Further measures could be considered if monitoring identifies continuing safety concerns, subject to funding and other priorities.