Speed limits

Its time to rethink the Council approach.

My narrow rural road has 60 mph national speed limit, no pavements and blind bends. No surprise I stand on the road in the mornings to encourage drivers to slow down while children walk to school. 
Talking to neighbours who've lost pets, livestock, wing mirrors and garden walls to speeding traffic it was clear that the ludicrously slow and bureaucratic approach to changing speed limits puts most people off trying.  I'm still going strong but without a groundswell of people behind a change it simply won't happen. Without major incidents, injuries or fatalities the balance seems all in favour of traffic.  

We all recognise the need for travel. Going to work or school, fitting in appointments, getting to the ferry for your NHS appointment, deliveries from supermarkets, and internet deliveries  and transport for business. If everything travelled at horse and cart speed the modern world including internet deliveries would be impossible. However more generally speed can be dangerous, environmentally damaging and very noisy disrupting our lives and the peace that the Isle of Wight struggles to keep. Living a mile from the resurfaced military road the roar of speeding motorbikes is an unpleasant reminder that not everyone cares about their fellow islanders.

I know that road speed are a balance of needs and the Council have to balance responsibilities and legal requirements. And on the island you have the added complication and delay from Island Roads who conduct road traffic surveys and charge an arm and a leg to carry out any changes.

Some key questions.
Why do individual approaches to changes run into so many barriers? 
Why is there no overall island policy or strategic approach to focus on the quiet enjoyment of islanders or the environmental impact of traffic?
Where is the effective traffic control from the Police and Council? 

I hear of ad hoc meetings and statements that something will be done but nothing is seen on the ground. Which is why we need to approach elected members, ask them the questions, and hold them to account.