Car Clocked At 67mph On Smithy Lane

Little Acton residents have been given a newsletter from their new councillor William Baldwin this week via the ‘Little Acton News’.

The newsletter contained information on the Smithy Lane Speed Survey that took place in August with the data graphed out for residents to see. It states 13,928 cars were sampled with the vmax being stated at 67mph – indicating that was the highest speed recorded.

The most commonly recorded speed was in the 25-30mph range, and what appears to be the 85% percentile reading is 32mph.

The speed is recorded via a ‘driver feedback sign’, which to drivers looks like a normal sign but flashes up your speed as you drive past. It is not made clear to drivers that such information is recorded and logged.

Cllr Baldwin says “I asked for the temporary safety speed check on Smithy Lane. As you can see from the graph the majority drive sensibly”.

There is no method of recording aside from speed to indicate the manner of driving, and although 30mph is the posted speed limit the news that the majority adhere to it does not indicate sensible driving.

Cllr Baldwin does say “I am due to have double yellow lines placed along Newbrigg Road at its junction with Chester Road”, then going on to relate how near misses and traffic flow issues have been observed.

Wrexham.com queried the council to find out how many other signs are in Wrexham and requested copies of data they log to make it public.

We were told that the Smithy Lane sign is the only one operating in that manner in Wrexham and its used “in response to community concerns over speeding” usually for four weeks.

It was explained to us that the data itself is indicative only, and it not considered comprehensive. The data was described as ‘coarse’. This is likely to the method of collection and although 3M, the makers of the sign, do say they calibrate each device, it is not a precise device unlike say those used by police*.

As a general comment it was interesting to note that “In the majority of cases, recorded vehicle speeds do not match public perceptions ( I.e speeds are lower than the posted speed limits)”.

What we feel would be useful is a data dump – hopefully public – from such signs alongside the whereabouts of the sign.

This will allow residents and their elected representatives to form a more informed opinion to what is happening. If for example there is a cluster of high speeds late at night cumulating in the 67mph recording it could indicate an anti social (and potentially dangerous) drivers trying to outdo each other however if the previous two readings were seconds before and after at a more sedate pace it could indicate an error.

If you are a councillor or resident who has been sent a newsletter or update – please feel free to send us a copy – or use our new Your Voice! page to get in touch and tell Wrexham.com readers your story! Click here to see how.

(* however other speed recording devices are not infallible – a brick wall was once caught speeding at 58mph!)