Hilton Action on Traffic Group (HAT) Report

Residents’ Petitions

Cambridgeshire County Council Highways has been investigating the problems relating to through traffic that were identified in two petitions from Hilton residents. Their traffic engineers are due to report back on 13^th July 2009. Councillor Ian Bates spoke in support of both petitions, stressing that the traffic problems had an adverse effect on the quality of life of residents. He requested that all options, including a by-pass, be considered.

Recent accidents reported to HAT

24 April: Lorry ran into back of stationary car at temporary traffic lights north of Graveley Way/St Ives Road crossroads – car badly damaged, but no injuries reported.

23 May : Serious collision on Potton Road between motorcycle and car emerging from Church End - sadly, we understand motorcyclist sustained very serious injuries.

Neighbourhood Speedwatch

Hilton Parish Council is supporting the County’s Speedwatch initiative, a campaign that identifies speeding drivers for follow up by the Police.

Remember: It's a 30 mph limit for a reason!

· If a driver hits a pedestrian at 30mph, there is an 80% chance the pedestrian will survive.

· At 40mph there is a 80% chance of the driver killing a pedestrian.

A team of trained volunteer observers, drawn from the different communities in the St Ives area, is deployed just a few hours each month with roadside speed detector units at speeding hot spots. In the few checks carried out so far in Hilton, St Ives Speedwatch has identified over 70 drivers speeding through the village.

The Parish Council is looking for volunteers from the Hilton community to come forward as observers. Once Hilton has sufficient trained observers, it should be possible to better target checks to locations and times when speeding problem is greatest.

If you are concerned about speeding through the village and would like to help, please contact the Parish Clerk or Hilton Action on Traffic.

A typical Speedwatch session lasts for only one hour and timing can be flexible to fit in with your availability.

Your details will be passed to St Ives Speedwatch who can arrange the necessary training.

To contact HAT or for more information

e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel: Bill Halford, 831193;

      Margaret Shardlow, 831186;

      Lissie Wright, 830577