Two County Councillors have joined forces to demand speed restrictions and a raft of safety measures on High Pavement in Sutton-in-Ashfield. In the latest accident, the road was closed after an out of control car demolished part of a resident’s wall on the road.
Councillor Jason Zadrozny represents the Ashfields’ Division and Councillor Samantha Deakin represents Sutton Central and East both on Nottinghamshire County Council.
High Pavement is at the middle of the council wards and so the campaigning councillors are working together and demanding that urgent action is taken.
They have described the road as like ‘Route 66’ and claimed that some drivers are ‘using the road as a racetrack’ after the latest accident part demolished a resident’s wall.
Councillor Jason Zadrozny has been demanding action for years. The road safety campaigner said, “This latest accident lays bare the dangers of out of control cars on this hazardous road.
“Someone could easily have been killed in this latest accident. It’s high time that the County Council listen to our pleas and finally take action. The speed limit on High Pavement is actually 30mph but you wouldn’t know this as there is no signage whatsoever to warn drivers. There is also a complete lack of enforcement – people are allowed to drive with impunity.
“I’ve witnessed some cars racking up speeds that would be more suitable on Route 66 – it’s time they stopped using High Pavement as a racetrack! At the moment there is no deterrent – I’ve been asking for urgent measures for years but all I ever get is excuses from the penny-pinching Conservative-led Council.”
Now, the Ashfield Independent Councillors have called for an ‘urgent’ speed survey on the road.
High Pavement is one of main roads into Sutton Town Centre.
They are calling for a raft of safety measures including included appropriate signage including 30mph repeaters, interactive speed signs, fixed speed cameras, clear road markings and better traffic enforcement to deal with the escalating problem.
Councillor Samantha Deakin is the Ashfield Independent Spokesperson for Children and Young People’s issues.
She said: “Last week, part of a wall was demolished – it could very easily have been a pupil at one of many local schools who was seriously injured – or even worse. Sutton Community Academy is just up the road on High Pavement.
“Parents from Croft and Leamington Primary Schools also use High Pavement. I worry about the safety of pupils, parents and other pedestrians that use High Pavement on a daily basis. Nottinghamshire County Council needs to listen and act on our concerns urgently. This is the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Councillor Phil Rostance, Vice Chairman of the Communities & Place Committee on Nottinghamshire County Council said:-
“It is unfortunate and inappropriate that Councillor Zadrozny seeks to make political capital out of a road safety matter which we take very seriously.”
“We are always saddened to hear of any accidents in Nottinghamshire. Accidents resulting in casualties are investigated by our Safer Highways team whose work makes a significant contribution to reducing road casualties across the county. The measures we take to improve safety on our highways must be in line with national guidance, as the leader of any local authority should be well aware.”
“High Pavement is signed in line with national legislation and the highway code. The law does not permit the use of 30mph repeater signs where the streetlights are not more than 200 yards apart. The Department for Transport’s guidance also states that speed cameras will only be used where there is a history of fatal or serious road casualties and speeding, which is not actually case on this road.”
“Speed surveys have previously been undertaken at High Pavement in Sutton-in-Ashfield in 2013 and more recently 2019 where the average speed recorded was 25.4mph, but where speeding does occur, it is an enforceable offence and as such we advise residents to report this to Nottinghamshire Police.”
“We will continue to monitor this road carefully, as we do all roads in the county. Any additional safety measures we put in place will be based on proper evidence and expert officer advice and not for political opportunism.”
