Case Study: Amble Speed Bumps

Background

The popular tourist destination of Amble in Northumberland is typical of many market towns across the country. The bustling town centre has grown as more and more visitors sample the delights the shops and restaurants have to offer while the existing road network has struggled to cope with the ever increasing traffic volumes. The most widely accepted solution is to introduce one way systems within the towns where it is impossible to widen the roads to increase capacity.

This remedy however does have draw backs – the main one being that vehicle speeds increase as the traffic flow becomes uninterrupted. In order to combat this Northumberland County Council have turned to Quicksetts to provide a visual and tactile deterrent to vehicle users driving at excessive speeds which also fits with the elegant historic settings of this market town.

Results

Following the successful installation by Northumberland County Council operatives and the wide public approval of the Quicksetts scheme, further speed bumps have been placed around the perimeter of the town centre where a reduction in vehicle speed was also required. These deterrents have also aided in easing congestion in the area’s busiest locations as locals look for quicker alternative routes.

Northumberland County Council’s Site Supervisor commented on the speed of installation stating “Our crews are now experienced in applying the Quicksetts having installed a number of different schemes however we are still amazed at how little time it takes us, meaning we can minimise the disruption to the local community while we install these features.”