Stretches of Denmark Street, Shelfanger Road and Roydon Road Diss could become 20mph zones
Shopkeepers in Diss have welcomed the prospect of new 20mph zones in the town centre.
Norfolk County Council wants to lower speed limits from 30mph to 20mph in sections of the B1077, along Denmark Street and Shelfanger Road.
A stretch of Roydon Road, between Cherry Tree Court and the B1077 junction, will also have its speed limit cut to 20mph.
Mick Madgett, who runs Madgetts Cycles on Shelfanger Road, said: “It’s definitely a good thing. Cars come along Shelfanger Road at well over 30mph and it’s dangerous with people pulling out of the car parks.
“Whether people will stick to the speed limit is another thing.”
His views were echoed by Diss Windows and Electrical on St Nicholas Street, where the speed limit is also 20mph, and which shares a key junction with the two roads.
A shop spokesperson said: “We opened two weeks ago and already I have seen cars come around the corner into St Nicholas Street, from Shelfanger Road and Denmark Street, far too fast.
“I have three parking spots outside my shop and the cars often have to brake suddenly when they see them.”
Tonya Manning, who runs Diss Coffee Shop and Little Deli further down St Nicholas Street said she hoped it would help slow down heavy good vehicles coming into the town.
Catherine Dente, of Hus Estates, on Market Hill, said she wondered if it might stop cars going down the wrong way down the one way system.
Alan Franks, chairman of Diss Heritage Trust, said: “This is something we have been campaigning for, for a long time.
“The road actually narrows on Shelfanger Road and I have been clipped by a wing mirror there, as have others, including school children. It’s simply dangerous.”
The speed limits have also been supported by South Norfolk District Councillor, Keith Kiddie.
Norfolk County Council launched a consultation over the plan earlier this month. It closes on June 10.
A spokesperson said: “The proposal to make the order is made because it appears to the county council that it is expedient to do so for avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using the road or any other road or for preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising.”
The restrictions would see the 20mph limit introduced on the B1077 Denmark Street/Shelfanger Road, from a point 46 metres south of its junction with Beehive Yard for 218 metres northwards.
A further 20mph limit would be introduced on Roydon Road, from its junction with Shelfanger Road for 70 metres westwards.
A spokeswoman for Diss Town Council, said: “Diss Town Council received several safety concerns from residents regarding the speed of vehicles, particularly HGVs coupled with the narrow width of Shelfanger Road.
“We raised this with our colleagues at Norfolk County Council and following their assessment, a plan of works was agreed to improve pedestrian and vehicular safety in this area of the town.
“The first phase was to remove the centre white line, which has a slowing effect on traffic, as it encourages greater caution. Additional signage has been installed to cover the narrowest part of the road to warn drivers, which should also decrease vehicle speeds.
“The final piece of the puzzle is to extend the existing 20mph speed limit covering the Controlled Parking Zone of the Heritage Triangle to include parts of Denmark St, Roydon Road and Shelfanger Road.
“Although there have not been any recorded accidents in this area for some time, this solution acknowledges the historic narrow width of the footway and carriageway, and that it is intimidating for pedestrians using the footway at times, with HGV’s mounting the footway to avoid other vehicles.”
