Stafford Street traffic concerns

Kevin Graham writes: "It is good to read PC Maple's comments, and good of him to comment. I value that and respect him for it. I am sure it is a case of 'seeming faster' on most occasions, though there are instances of excessive speed.

"Dialogue with PC Maple is good and I would welcome a visit from him to discuss this – a brew and biscuits included (that is NOT a bribe! Honest) and give him an opportunity to see what we, as residents, seem to worry about."

"All in all, is it really too much to ask of people, adults in fact, to just drive with care and attention through Audlem (any route) and at a low speed. It'll add a few minutes to a journey, but everyone will live happily ever after. Is it really a big ask?"

Another Stafford Street resident says: "Perhaps PC Maple would like to live on Stafford Street for a week then he too would realise the dangers faced by people every day." Unlike the biscuits and a brew, we are not sure if that's an offer of accommodation!

GB writes: "Drivers may not speed in Stafford Street but they avoid collisions by driving over the footway."

Audlem Online has heard that a vehicle can be reported for driving up on the pavement and that the police are obliged to act on the information. While this could cause traffic chaos if rigidly enforced, some of the more dangerous truck drivers might learn from this being enforced – and it might get round the long-distance truckers faster than the news of the planned de-priming.

PC Ken Maple has responded as follows: "Stafford Street traffic concerns update – I have this morning been standing in Stafford Street and pointing my Laser speed gun up the road towards Woore. I can report that as a result I have issued three drivers with fixed penalty notices for speeding on the stretch of road between Bath Lane and School Lane, past the Baptist Church.

"For the record, the speeds recorded were 40, 42 and 40mph respectively. One driver was local and the others were from out of town. It would seem therefore that some people's perceptions are more accurate than others!

"I plan to repeat this exercise as often as I reasonably can in order to address the concerns raised by residents. I also spent some time on Whitchurch Road but did not issue any penalty notices.

"The problem of vehicles mounting the footpath is more difficult for me to deal with, as drivers are unlikely to do this within my view. If anyone witnesses this happening and is willing to step forward and give me a witness statement about it then I can certainly follow it up and report the driver. I couldn't, however, guarantee that the Crown Prosecution Service would be willing to prosecute, particularly if there is only one witness to the offence.

"I''d like to thank Audlem Online for airing this topic, and also those who've contributed to the discussion. I shall certainly be availing myself of Mr Graham's hospitality in the near future."

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