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Flashing Speed Signs - Gember Noot (25th Feb 2006 - 18:50:22) If any of the readers of this column travel to Farnham via Wrecclesham they will be aware of the Flashing Speed Signs that inform you of your speed when travelling above the prescribed limit as you descend through the village. These signs are also present in Godalming. I think consideration should be given to having these signs on all the approaches into Liphook. I believe the majority of people entering the village do not slow down until they reach the centre of the Village, and although the Square is supposedly a 20 mph zone, this is where they hit the brakes and do 30mp!. A flashing sign may slow them down, would not cost too much and my safe a life or serious injury to a ped. If there is anyone from the Parish Council who can take this up with HCC I would be glad to know of the response. I have not seen these kinds of signs in Hants, but our neighbours in Surrey seem to be making more and more use of them. They certainly remind me of my speed – even if I’m only 2 to 3 mph over the limit! GN

Re: Flashing Speed Signs - Freddie Dawkins (27th Feb 2006 - 11:46:03) Gember - I've seen these signs quite a bit around West Sussex and they probably work as a reminder - but I wonder if familiarity creeps in after the first few times of them going off? I know they cost quite a bit of money(I've heard mention of £10,000?) and I would think there are more cost-effective ways of encouraging drivers to obey speed limits. I know there are several transport consultants who come onto this site, so perhaps they'll have some better info. rgds Freddie Dawkins

Re: Flashing Speed Signs - Mike Grimes (28th Feb 2006 - 01:16:32) Why do they cost so much? Maybe it is because of that decoratve windmill device they all seem to have to have. How much electricity does that use, and for what benefit? I think the 'reminder' signs are a brilliant idea. It takes the 'I did not know I was doing anything wrong guv' out of speeding motorists behaviour. If they were then caught by a mobile speed van, no excuses.

Re: Flashing Speed Signs - Terri (28th Feb 2006 - 14:45:47) There is at least one sign in Hampshire - on the way to Selbourne. While speed signs will slow the caring driver who has just not noticed that they are speeding (possible lack of concentration) it will not slow the ignorant and thoughtless driver who enjoys tailgating, chatting on mobile phones, eating sandwiches and drinking beer ( yes, I have seen that recently) or those who deliberately speed up when they see pedestrians trying to cross the road. Sorry to be so cynical, but I walk a lot and see the most appalling driving on a daily basis. I am also regularly a cyclist and a driver. Perhaps if people tried getting out of their cars now and again they might get a different perspective.

Re: Flashing Speed Signs - Gember Noot (5th Mar 2006 - 16:12:55) I have just spoken to a friend of mine who works for the police and she tells me that these signs are actually quite effective. The other possibility would be to have some kind of traffic calming scheme on the A3 Bridge (Headly Road) and on the other roads into the village. Drives appear to take no notice of the change in speed as you cross the bridge. Perhaps concideration should also be given to reducing the speed limit to 30mph before reaching the bend at Hill House Hill as you come into the village.

Re: Flashing Speed Signs - Janet (6th Mar 2006 - 21:51:18) I think these signs are very effective at slowing people down. They draw attention to individuals that are driving too fast.

Re: Flashing Speed Signs - Gember (7th Mar 2006 - 09:56:33) Dear All, This appears to be following on from another thread "Using mobile phones while driving to/from school" Perhaps this could be trialled as suggested in my response fo today's date. Again, who pushes what buttons - or do we have to wait for a child to be knocked down and seriously injured or killed?

Re: Flashing Speed Signs - Stephen (7th Mar 2006 - 12:06:42) A simple build out of the pavement, narrowing the road at the point of the change in limit would have a much better cost-benefit ratio then expensive flashing signs. Alternatively I recently read that pensioners were being deployed with (real) radar guns to note and report speeders.

Re: Flashing Speed Signs - gr (7th Mar 2006 - 21:54:36) Maybe we could actually bother to teach people to cross the road properly and not walk in front of cars by roundabouts instead of walking 2 yards further and use the proper crossings !!! Just remember it is not always drivers being stupid !!!! mind you how many kids no how to walk to school!!!

Re: Flashing Speed Signs - Gember Noot (9th Mar 2006 - 21:10:25) Dear GR, The last point you make is the reason for having them. I have 3 kids who walk to school. More probably would if their parents felt that there was a safe place to cross in the Headly Road, thus alleviating some of the traffic problems. Oh well, it will only be X years before they decide to re-site the schools in Avenue Close and then the land they stand on will be turned into a large density housing estate with 2 cars per household and insufficient space to park them! GN

Re: Flashing Speed Signs - Philip (17th Mar 2006 - 14:56:50) Not all of the signs mentioned are accurate, or triggered if you exceed the speed limit. For instance, the signs on Echo Barn Lane in Farnham and the one outside the BMW dealer in Farnborough are triggered at speeds well below 30mph as measured by my GPS speedometer (which is accurate, especially at a constant speed). I therefore suggest that if and when these signs appear in Liphook they should at least be calibrated correctly, or installed with appropriate signage to indicate they trigger upon approach rather than in excess. Regards.

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