Make Blackmore Lane a Quiet Lane

The current national speed limit for Blackmore Lane is not only wholly unsuitable but also a danger to the many residents, walkers, cyclists and horse riders who use the lane. 

It would be in the interest of the residents of Blackmore Lane, the users and the wider community to have a reduction in the speed limit and for the lane to be a designated Quiet Lane. This would be of benefit to everyone's safety and well-being as well as improving and preserving the natural environment of the surrounding area.

The below points set out why the current speed limit is not suitable and illustrate why the community would benefit from Blackmore Lane becoming a Quiet Lane.

• The road is residential in nature and the movement of motor vehicles is            certainly not the primary function.
• Blackmore Lane has many accesses on both sides of the road. Many of these are poorly sighted and have a limited turning circle due to the narrowness of the lane.
• There is more than one bend in the lane which severely impacts the distance of the road that drivers can see ahead.
• The south-eastern end of the lane is severely pot-holed and rutted and vehicle could not travel above 10mph without incurring damage. Despite these “natural” traffic calming measures there is still an opportunity for traffic to reach speeds near the national speed limit in other parts of the lane.
• The lane is single track and narrow with few passing places and no pavements.
• For large parts of the road pedestrians cannot move out of the way of oncoming traffic due to banks being either too steep or inaccessible due to vegetation.
• Pedestrian, cyclist and horseback movements are high. This is because it is used by non-vehicular users to connect the village of Sonning Common with the AONB. The bottom of the lane connects directly with the centre of the village via footpaths and there is a well-known footpath that connects the lane with the surrounding fields halfway up the lane. Local horse riders often use the lane as a riding route and there is a livery at Frieze farm at the south-eastern end of the lane.  
• Reducing the speed limit would reduce the harmful emissions of the vehicles and the noise pollution that affects the residents and the surrounding flora and fauna.
• Many users of the lane I have spoken to have reported incidents of near-misses with traffic travelling at inappropriate speeds.
• Reducing the speed limit would not significantly impact the journey time of vehicles using the lane.
• There is also further negative impact to the local quality of life from the fear of fast moving traffic on Blackmore Lane.
• There are regular issues with HGVs trying to use the lane. Often they are unable to pass due to the low hanging branches, infrequent and small passing places and the narrow width of the lane. This has resulted in congestion and damage to many of the trees along the lane as well as the banks and grass either side.

We have sent a letter to Oxfordshire County Council to request that Blackmore Lane is made a Quiet Lane and have copied it below. We are accompanying the letter with this petition and are calling for immediate action before one of the regular near misses on Blackmore Lane have a more sinister outcome.

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To whom it may concern,

I am writing to request that a Quiet Lane be introduced to Blackmore Lane, Sonning Common on behalf of the local community.

We believe that  by making Blackmore Lane a Quiet Lane it will bring a range of benefits to our community and countryside, and will improve our quality of life.  By encouraging drivers to slow down and drive more considerately.  

Blackmore Lane is a single track road with very little passing places especially towards the eastern end of the lane where there are no passing places at all,  not only does it make reversing  a vehicle along a winding lane an inevitability but it also means any pedestrians and cyclist who are on the lane have no where to pull in to as the banks to the lane are steep.  Blackmore Lane is used by many in Sonning Common for dog walking, Nordic walking, cycling and horse riding.

As I expect you are aware the Quiet Lane scheme promotes:

+          A chance for people to walk, cycle and horse ride in a safer, more pleasant and less intimidating environment than presently exists, thereby widening people’s transport choices.

+          It reduces the risk of collisions and supports measures to tackle the problem of speeding traffic and most importantly protects the character and tranquillity of country lane.

Recently, because of the closure of Blounts Court Road for a number of days traffic was diverted down our lane making the reason to become a Quiet Lane more apparent and necessary.  Large lorries were unable to turn, cars and motorbikes were hurtling past at dangerous speeds and anyone out for a peaceful walk or cycle ride let alone on horseback would be taking their life in their hands.

We have gathered a number of signatures of residents of Blackmore Lane and the surrounding area who are all in agreement that Blackmore Lane needs to become a Quiet Lane.  We do not wish to discourage drivers but only to make them aware that this country lane and its residents need to be given due regard and consideration,  especially as our countryside is fast diminishing, we should try to protect and enjoy the surrounding environment that we live in.

We hope that you agree that designating a Quiet Lane to Blackmore Lane will be a worthwhile asset for the community of Sonning Common.  Specifically, we look to you to initiate your own consultation exercise to progress this idea.

We look forward to your reply.

With Kind regards