Call for temporary speed reduction on outskirts of Alnwick

Calls for a temporary reduced speed limit on the outskirts of Alnwick are to be investigated further.
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A local resident had written to Alnwick Town Council calling for the extension of the 30mph zone from The Alnwick Garden to Denwick Bridge.

Councillors felt that a permanent 30mph limit might not be suitable on what is currently a 60mph stretch of road.

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Cllr Gordon Castle explained: “The policy of the county council is not to extend 30 limits where there are no residential areas. It would contravene national policy.

Denwick Bridge.Denwick Bridge.
Denwick Bridge.

"A 50 limit is possible and it is feasible and arguable that we could extend the 30 limit past the main car park of the Gardens entrance.”

However, several councillors felt that a temporary reduction was warranted due to heavy goods vehicles accessing a housing development under construction.

Cllr Martin Harrington said: “It’s going to be the main entrance to a building site for the next two or three years with wagons turning in and out of there every day. To me it would be common sense to make it 30mph all the way to the bridge.”

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Cllr Castle conceded that a temporary speed reduction would be possible.

Cllr Alan Symmonds said: “It’s a blind corner and you are upon the bridge before you know it if you are coming into Alnwick and it is tight.

"I’m not one for imposing speed limits where they are not necessary but, in this case, I have sympathy for the argument being made. I live on Allerburn Lea so travel on that road regularly.

"If we can get something while the building work is going on it is better than nothing.”

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Cllr Peter Broom added: “I think a temporary limit would be a good idea but also think we should have some warning signs up for heavy goods vehicles going into that site.”

It was agreed to discuss the issue with Northumberland County Council and get its input.

Meanwhile, Cllr Castle said he would press for an update on a proposed extension of the 30mph speed limit to the north side of the Lion Bridge.

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