We, the undersigned, petition Norfolk County Council for the reduction of the speed limit on Upgate Street, Carleton Rode, Norfolk from 60 mph to 30 mph. Below and attached is the supporting information and signatures to support this petition.

To whom it may concern,

Following attendance at the Carleton Rode Parish Council meeting on 3rd September 2024 residents were requested to collate evidence and a petition in order to request a change to the speed limit on Upgate Street from 60 mph to 30 mph.

Upgate Street is a popular residential area for families. The speed limit is 60 mph and is seeing an ever increasing level of vehicular traffic including Newall Plant Lorries, Farm traffic and commuters using the road as quick access to A11. Having the brought the matter to the attention of the local Parish Council there was a full consensus of agreement that the road is unsafe at its current speed limit and they would support reduction to 30 mph to make it safe for all residents, road users and people accessing the local footpaths. There have already been a number of pets from the street killed and the residents strongly believe, and are significantly concerned, that there will be injury or death to a child or adult using the road if this is not changed. The school bus for the local high school collects children on the road. Children are expected to walk to the designated pick-up point on a road which Highways deem too unsafe for their employees to litter pick. Below are further points to support this application along with an attached petition from residents of Upgate Street.

The Secondary school bus stops along Upgate streets twice a day, children living on the street have to walk along the road in order to get this bus. The road is wearing away and with verges shrinking over time from drivers, there is no where for the children to walk. In the winter this will be during reduced lighting and in the dark.

There are no footpaths for these residents to walk on.

There is an S bend at Upgate Corner, which is approached with speed, this is a blind bend. The residential area sits on a sweeping bend and there is no visibility to see what is around that bend. There is a junction to Folly Lane part way down this bend with frequent farm traffic going to and fro.

Residents have to turn off all sound in their vehicles, including blowers, and wind down windows to hear if vehicles are coming in order to pull out of their driveways. You cannot hear cyclists or electric vehicles. On days when it is windy or there is heavy rain this impacts residents ability to hear traffic on the road.

There have been, to our awareness, at least 7 road traffic accidents in the last 2 years, this included an accident where the air ambulance was required to attend. There was an accident on 30th October 2024 where a motorcyclist was knocked off their bike, a witness described him as "somersaulting over the car"

See additional information in petition summary for number of accidents or near misses noted by residents.

Highways deem the street too dangerous to litter pick along.

Due to how straight the road is from the junction where Besthorpe road, Mile road meets Upgate Street, many cars are driving at more than 60 mph by the time they get to the residential section. As per Highways, the road is not safe enough for residents to monitor via community speed watch.

There are footpaths across the fields that are linked via Upgate Street so non residents accessing the local area are also required to walk along the road with no footpath or visibility.

Mile Road has less properties, is straighter with clear visibility and this is a 40 mph road.

There is increased use of the road since the significant roadworks on the A11, therefore increasing the likelihood of accidents. This has again increased in recent months.

Due to the amount and nature of traffic on the road, it is in a state of disrepair. This includes Newall Plant Ltd using Upgate street, there are several large vehicles accessing the road daily. There are several large potholes. Towards the end of Upgate Street, approaching The Turnpike, the road is crumbling away. Any repairs that have been made are short lived.

Included with this letter is a PDF document that summarises the information obtained from the petition of residents of Upgate Street.