Green light for neighbourhood street safety schemes

Rotherham Council has announced seven more areas to be given speed limit signs, road humps, new signs and resurfacing under a £450,000, three-year borough-wide safety project.

A spokesperson said the seven projects being progressed met the required criteria but were still subject to statutory consultations and legal processes and work would begin in the next year.

The Duke of Norfolk estate, off Moorgate, will have 20mph signs, red carriageway surfacing and 20mph logos painted on the road, while nearby Boston Castle Grove will see 20mph signs and road humps installed.

Hellaby Village will have 20mph signs, red carriageway surfacing and 20mph logos, while 50mph signs will be introduced on Ravenfield Lane at Ravenfield.

Red markings and 20mph signs will also be brought in at The Green and surrounding roads in Whiston, Poplar Avenue and Pingles Crescent in Thrybergh and the Ivanhoe Estate in Kiveton Park.

They are all part of the council’s Neighbourhood Road Safety Scheme programme, under which 45 projects are being brought forward, with 38 already completed. 

Cllr Dominic Beck, RMBC’s cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “We set up this fund to respond to community concerns about road safety, that wouldn’t be met by ever reducing funds from central government. 

“Often, a simple, minor improvement can provide the solution and make a huge difference to all road users. 

“The earlier projects were put forward for funding by councillors on behalf of their local communities during a six-month consultation earlier this year. 

“All were assessed against criteria, including environmental impact, regeneration, mode of travel, social disadvantage, safety and maintaining infrastructure. 

“While carrying out site assessments, a number of the locations were identified as needing further investigation, resulting in these new projects coming to light.”