To take the hump or not, that is the question!

Speed Hump Warning Sign

Residents in Middleton and Alkrington have taken the 'hump' at traffic measures they campaigned to have installed. Before the speed humps where installed, the majority of residents supported the scheme, however, in practice they have realised the speed humps bring several problems of their own, including increased noise disturbance, discomfort and inconvenience, particularly for those people with back problems.

Such is the adverse effect on the quality of life of residents living close by the schemes in Middleton that Councillor for East Middleton, Labour's David Murphy, has called for the Head of Highways and Engineering to undertake a review of the current practice of using speed humps as a means of traffic calming within residential areas across the Borough. He said: "It is some years since the current practice of using speed humps as a means of traffic calming was developed. Residents need to have confidence that the best solution is sought in such accident reduction schemes."

Councillor Teresa Fitzsimons explained that the trouble with the 'Phase Three' humps in her ward, South Middleton, was that the speed humps were set at such a high level and that has been the cause of the trouble. She said that six have now been reduced in height and she was pressing Highways to look at reducing the height of the other eleven. She was though, she made clear, still in support of speed humps, she said: "accidents in Alkrington have reduced by a third since the humps have been installed."

Robin Parker, another Middleton Councillor (West Middleton) agreed that it is not traffic calming measures per se that is the problem, rather it is the nature of the traffic calming measures currently in place. He highlighted the problems the emergency services have with ambulances and fire engines being delayed by having to slow for speed humps, and the potential disastrous consequences that could ensue. He did not want to see the type of traffic humps installed in Alkrington being used for the forthcoming scheme on Windermere Road in Langley; he called for the review to take place before any traffic calming measures are decided on for Langley.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Castleton, Councillor Pat Flynn, gave her support to the call for a review. She said: "We have had speed humps in Castleton for 13 years and at first residents were strongly in favour. If you asked them now I think you would find 75% would be against them, they are a nuisance and have done nothing to reduce speeds, the 20MPH signs that accompany humps are routinely ignored with drivers travelling as fast as 40MPH over them."

Councillor Flynn's Lib Dem colleague Councillor David Clayton did not want the baby thrown out with the bath water, he cautioned: "If you compare the before and after figures for injuries and fatalities in Rochdale the difference is staggering."

Labour Councillor Colin Lambert agreed saying: "Humps save lives. I would not like to see installation delayed; I fear council officers would use a call for this review as an excuse to further delay much needed traffic calming measures."

Labour Leader Allen Brett was scathing in agreement, saying: "If we wait for the Highways Department to investigate we will be waiting until 2025!"