Speed bumps approved for '˜dangerous' Southsea road

On Thursday (Nov 15) Portsmouth City Council's transport chief, Cllr Lynne Stagg, agreed to traffic calming measures in Francis Avenue.

As a result two raised tables (larger bumps) to the north and south of the Francis Avenue, Jessie Road and Devonshire Square junction and six smaller speed cushions along the rest of the road will be implemented.

Although the road, which is home to Fernhurst Junior and Devonshire Infant Schools, has a 20mph limit a radar survey showed that 66 per cent of cars travelled over 24mph.

There had also been 19 recorded collisions on the road in the last five years.

Speaking at the traffic and transport meeting Cllr Stagg said: '˜I know that road really well because two of my grandchildren used to go to the school there, I used to drop them off and pick them up and it's an absolute nightmare of a road.'

From a public consultation of Francis Avenue residents 78 per cent said they supported the proposals and four per cent did not. Five per cent of responses were returned without a clear preference.

One objector stated that the bumps would be '˜bad for car suspensions' and another said: '˜There are less than four accidents a year. This is excessive expenditure that is totally unjustified.'

Cllr Stagg added: '˜The objections don't really stand up. I'm sure if you do go speeding along speed bumps it is bad for the car's suspension but if you don't then it isn't and it comes down to the safety of children which is far more important.'

Labour spokesperson Cllr Yahiya Chowdhury agreed with her decision. '˜I understand 19 collisions have happened so far and it is a long road so we need to do something,' he said.

'˜Also there's a lot of support for this from people in the area.'

Officers advised that work on the road would begin as soon as it was possible.