After tireless efforts and some patience, the traffic calming measures proposed by Handsworth Wood Residents Association and supported by over 1000 people in the local area, have been installed across the ward.

The traffic calming plan we proposed aimed to discourage rat running at speed through residential roads, making them safer for families and the air cleaner. We proposed works on: College Road, Windermere Road, Somerset Road, Cornwall Road, Devonshire Road, Selborne Road and Endwood Court Road. All are on major pedestrian routes to local schools and most journeys in the Ward involve passing near these roads.

After negotiation with one of the local councillors and the highways department last year, some changes were made to the original plan, which unfortunately included the works proposed for Endwood Court Road and Selbourne Road being utilised in another part of Handsworth Wood.

However, most of the proposed calming measures are now in place and include: clear 20mph signage on College Road and the surrounding roads, speed bumps on Somerset Road, Devonshire Road and Windermere Road, and a one-way system on the narrow Slack Lane where our famous Grade II listed Handsworth Old Town Hall is located.

Residents have reported a noticeable improvement in road safety in the area, and are hopeful that these measures will be a start to further improvements on and around College Road. We want our area to be safe for all pedestrians, including children and cyclists, and for all our residential streets to have good air quality.

Please show your support for the current traffic calming scheme, and your desire to see further measures by getting in contact with our two councillors for Handsworth Wood.

Most importantly, thank you for taking the time to sign this petition and supporting the community of Handsworth Wood.