The 20mph traffic calming measures proposed for Perivale would be the best thing to happen in the area for years. Judging from their comments, Mr. Weeks and others obviously never had the dubious pleasure of ever using the Bilton Road pedestrian crossing opposite the Hillview Surgery where an increasing number of boy racers continually test their driving skills as if it was a part of the Silverstone racing track. Not as long ago as last year, more or less to the day, two people were killed on that spot by a speeding driver. Other blackspots heavily used daily by schoolchildren and the elderly who are often in fear of their lives from speeding drivers every time they step onto the road are the crossing outside of Perivale station, the other Bilton Road crossing at the shopping parade, anywhere along Jordan Road and also along Aintree Road, where specifically a raised crossing is crying out for implementation mainly due to the heavy goods traffic along school-run routes. While I appreciate that there are concerns regarding additional noise pollution, increased exhaust emissions and emergency vehicle response times, they all pale into insignificance against the overwhelming evidence of an increase in pedestrian road safety as a direct result of introducing speed humps. The alternatives do not work as illustrated by the spectacular failure of the illuminated speed limit sign on Bilton Road at the junction with Jubilee Road, which does not have any effect at all on driver behaviour, it just gets ignored. The only thing the amateur racers seem to understand is that driving across a speed hump too fast will immediately remove the suspension off their priceless potential killing machines.Given the above, me, my family and friends in the area, who also just happen to have children and elderly relatives here too, will be supporting the Perivale 20mph initiative vigorously. This is even despite the fact that some of us will have the humps erected virtually directly opposite our properties. So to all those that are apalled by the Perivale traffic calming proposals, please support this initiative. Please let the Ealing Council actually do something useful for normal people and spend our Council Tax money here, on an area which needs investment in road safety and street scene improvements, and not to continually cater for every whim of the residents of the mansions across the motorway.
Tom Carroll ● 6228d