I'm starting a new group.....

[Byff]

I'm sick of councils putting in speedhumps on our roads. I've heard that they are proposing to put loads on Highfield Road in South Shields.

I need to start a resistance group so that at least they get challenged in the planning stages.

I'm thinking of R.A.S.H - Resistance against Speed Humps.

My principal concerns are the installation of speed humps on non-residential roads, where improved pedestrian crossing points would be of more benefit. I'll be contesting the humps straight away, but before any reply I'll be also raising a petition of local people.

Someone has to do something - it's time we all unite.

[Byff]

tvrbob said:

Cause and lost I say

Bah! Humbug. You're such a defeatest Bob

If it wasn't for me, we would have had 75mm speedbumps on our road. As such, I got them reduced to 65mm and if I had the knowledge I have now, would have probably had them scrapped all together.

I just hope the residents of Highfield are with me.

BTW, I haven't seen any mothers with pushchairs attend council meetings, but I have seen a lot of OAP's which believe it or not, can be swayed quite easily with a packet of Worthers Originals.

[Byff]

I think I might stick to my first choice of wording,

R.A.S.H - Residents against speed humps.

Makes it sound more local but I like that RASH bit as these bloody things are popping up all over like a rash.

[Byff]

Uriel said:

I'd be up for joining in. I drive down Highfeild regularly and it would be a complete pain in the arse. It's bad enough having Centenary Ave covered in the things. I have a freind that lives on Highfield Road and I'm sure he would be prepared to do what he could to stop them.

If you could let him know that I'm going to do a leaflet drop on Monday and chuck a few petitions in some local shops.

I could do with some local knowledge on how much support i'll probably get and the best area's to target.

[Byff]

It's the whole length of road, streching from Horsley Hill road through to Highfield Road - total of 14 bumps. Dimensions: 75mm high, 1.7m wide, 3.7m long.

No mention of Imeary Street.

[Byff]

Well, the protest is now on. I've distributed several petition sheets around the shops in that area and judging by the support from people, we might be onto a winner.

One woman was a right hard nosed bugger and I thought I
'd get chucked out her shop, but she more or less grabbed the sheet out of my hand and insisted that it would be full in hours

I seem to have the backing of the people, will the council listen?

Uriel said:

Just e-mailed him the link to this thread. Do you know if it is just Highfield Rd they're planning? A while back when they resurfaced Imeary St (I live just off Imeary and need to use it every time I leave the house) I thought the resurfacing may mean spped humps so I sent a letter and a couple of e-mails asking what the plan whas and for their future plans on speed humps, but got no reply to any.

Get round to Bill's Auto parts and sign the petition. Be quick, it's filling up rather fast!

[Byff]

Uriel said:

Do we know the name/address/e-mail of anyone at the council that deals with these matters?

After the petitions are collected, the local councillors are contacted and the petition is presented to them to be discussed at the local CAF Forum. As many people as possible will need to attend the forum, but probably, I'll be standing there by myself. If the councillors are sensible, then they will do the arguing for me, however, I fear they will play dumb or actually support the council instead of the people that elected them. That's when we need as many people as possible to shout at the councillors and remind them why they are in office.

As this is a group and not just myself, I'm hoping to get support from a few other people that have previously objected to humps in Fellgate and Boldon, so i'll have battle hardened OAP's fighting my corner aswell.

Unfortunately, the councillors for Horsley Hill are Labour so they'll support each other, but there's a few independants for Westoe which should give a good argument.

Horsley Hill


Councillor Eileen Leask (Labour)



Councillor Iain Malcolm (Labour)



Councillor Arthur C Meeks (Labour)

Westoe


Councillor Jane Branley (Independent)


Councillor Allen G Branley (Independent)


Councillor Ron Reynolds (Labour)

[Byff]

I've collected the petitions in and I'm disappointed with the motor discount shops.

The one in Westoe only managed about 20 signatures and the one in Horsley only manged about 10.

Thankfully, the post office, greengrocers and newsagents came to my aid and they managed to fill their sheets up completely, some people even scribbling underneath so they can be included.

Next step to get in touch with the emergency services,, see if they can support me, then on to the councillors.