Whitchurch already suffers far too many HGVs and with a mass of house building on the near horizon there will be a large increase in construction traffic in the town.
This will increase dangers to all who use the roads, but in particular the most vulnerable.
His reply is awaited.
UPDATE: A reminder has been sent - 2nd July – and Kit Malthouse has responded with some dates when he may be able to visit Whitchurch.
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To: Kit Malthouse MP, Houses of Parliament
As a Deputy Mayor in London I am sure you are aware of the increasing concerns being expressed over road safety for the most vulnerable. With yet another death under a construction vehicle, action on providing safe separated facilities for cycling in London and elsewhere, is long overdue. The very least that should be done is to restrict the movement of these vehicles at peak times. That could be introduced now.
Here in relatively calm Whitchurch we are about to see a massive increase in house building as the town is to take 350 houses as a result of government requirements. In addition the local Primary School is set to increase from 373 to 525 pupils in an area which already suffers massive traffic problems with a single access point.
Construction traffic will soon be added to what is already an almost gridlocked town, particularly at school-run times. Every day pedestrians are having to dodge vehicles as they regularly mount or are driven along pavements while many people won't cycle because of the existing dangers.
With the addition of the construction traffic the day will surely come when someone in Whitchurch is seriously injured or killed, yet action could be taken now to reduce that risk. As our MP you could help lead on this to make Whitchurch a safe place to walk and cycle. Please don't let us follow what is happening in London where a lack of action is causing deaths.
Perhaps you might support a restriction on the movement of HGVs in Whitchurch at peak times, and certainly of construction traffic when the building commences? That would be a very positive step.
Do you cycle? I have been informed you have said you do. A few years ago Sir George Young, as our excellent local MP, cycled around the town with Town and Borough Councillors and concerned residents, and looked at the traffic situations that those riding bikes have to deal with.
Would you be willing to take part in a similar exercise? Would you be able to join with a few local people and ride around the areas that are in most need of action and to support schemes to make travel in our town safer?
Perhaps a mutually convenient date could be set?
John Buckley
Previous ride of our then MP Sir George Young with Town and Borough Councillors and local residents.
(click pic to enlarge).
