Forum Topic

Cars & Motorbikes racing up & down Lower Richmond road in the evenings?

Anyone else notice sports cars and motorbikes racing up & down the Lower Richmond Road during evenings with increasing frequency over the past months?They seem to speed with impunity.It’s very sad that Thamesfield doesn’t have any police presence on foot or bike in the evenings who could hear & warn them.

Richard Phipps ● 1883d15 Comments

In theory yes but I’m not aware of anyone doing 40 being done for dangerous driving whatever the prevailing limit. Always a first time. Some people speed on Priory Lane which is a 20 zone.

Jonathan Callaway ● 1880d

That raises an interesting point. EVs don't need gearboxes (at least I don't think road cars do, although I believe some Formula e cars have needed them. Anyway, the main thing is drive chains on EVs are simpler and require far less maintenance than IC engines so I would imagine that will change the motor repair business significantly? Less grease, more high tech?On the point regarding enforcement of 20 mph limits, although self compliance might be limited presumable if someone has a serious accidents exceeding the speed limit by 50% then the result might be a dangerous drivng prosecution?

Michael Ixer ● 1880d

Ed, to be honest it's extremely annoying when your sitting in a car watching cyclists speeding past you and we have to poodle along. What is the point of them making vehicles with 5 gears.Also a lot of MOT Departments will go under, with people having to buy new vehicles  as you don't have to have an MOT for 3 yrs.

Barbara Stevens ● 1880d

Barbara I wished we all bought shares in whoever makes the 20mph signs.It would have been possibly cheaper to set the default to 20mph and sign post 30mph, however that was rejected by the government. The quality of the signage does seem to depend upon which local authority you are in I have noticed."The Department has no plans to impose a national urban 20mph limit. Evidence suggests that average speeds tend to fall to compliant levels only if previous average speeds were already low, around 24mph. To be effective, such a change would need enforcement and publicity. It would put a significant strain on our police forces at a difficult time and would not be desirable unless sufficient compliance with the limit could be achieved."Interesting article here with link to the Department for Transport letter:https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/65895/government-rejects-call-for-emergency-default-20mph-urban-speed-limit-but-the-campaign-goes-on/

Ed Robinson ● 1880d

Yes Ed, it was like that a few months ago coming back from Barnes common (Mill Hill) to Putney, the signs changed from 20 to 30 then back again, thought they had run out of 20 and thought will do.

Barbara Stevens ● 1880d

Yep more Apps and Cameras.Apparently UK has one of the highest cctv coverage in Europe and one of the highest crime rates.Some sensible policies might help!Driving today for a change: 20mph, 30mph, 20mph - are we now back to 30mph?? Google says everything 30mph - so that is useless, I cant see any speed signs, because the default is 30, so it must be 30, which lasted for a few yards before it's back to 20mph......

Ed Robinson ● 1881d

It seems to be occasional camera cars at LTNs.  The same cars just continuously speed.

Philippa Bond ● 1881d

Richard. are you saying there are to many people on the road for your liking. Or all the Sainsbury's staff, Hospital staff, the late Local food shops,might be making their way home.

Barbara Stevens ● 1882d

What’s also interesting is that there are so many people making essential journeys 9-11pm during this lockdown.

Richard Phipps ● 1882d

Seems to be a WBC thing.No mention on Richmond or Ealing regarding voluntary enforcement.Also Richmond go into a fair bit of detail about regular signs.Perhaps WBC signs aren't up to scratch?

Ed Robinson ● 1882d

Is the idea that with the failure of the system of voluntary enforcement that residents will start demanding more policing and more enforcement?

Philippa Bond ● 1882d

It’s a police decision whether to enforce speed limits. The council may have a strong view which may influence them and if a council takes a relaxed laissez faire view then the police may well do the same. On balance the best place to start is with a Thamesfield councillor who might just prove sympathetic.  I must say as an occasional cyclist on LRR it’s not very enjoyable due to the traffic volumes. And yes some drivers are doing well over 20 mph.

Jonathan Callaway ● 1882d

Richmond’s enforcing it in Barnes. Police with speed camera on Mill Hill Rd from time to time.

Freddie Francis ● 1883d

Richard complain to WBC.They have said enforcement of the 20mph roads will be voluntary.

Ed Robinson ● 1883d

Cameras?  I think we are going to need them increasingly unfortunately because of the lack of police and lack of self-control and increasing lawlessness as a result.

Philippa Bond ● 1883d