Plans for a 20mph speed limit in Poundbury have stalled - despite claims that as many as 10,000 cars were caught speeding in the area in one week.

Campaigners fighting for a blanket 20mph in the urban extension of Dorchester say the number of drivers being caught speeding is 'simply shocking'.

Residents spearheading the campaign have examined further data from a speeding survey in Peverell Avenue East carried out in early September 2023.

They claim that that a total of 10,578 vehicles were going above 30 mph in both directions in one week.

The shocking full picture comes after preliminary data released last month recorded 421 cars speeding.  

Peverell Avenue East runs opposite Damers First School and campaigners fear someone could be killed by a speeding vehicle.

The plans for a 20mph limit have been held up by the time it is taking for Dorset Council to adopt the roads from landowners the Duchy of Cornwall. 

Campaigners say something must be done and if a 20mph limit is not possible, they would like to see traffic calming measures.

Resident Graham Vingoe, 69, who is leading the campaign, said: “It’s simply shocking to see the speed limit broken 10,000 times in just one week next to a school catering for almost 500 children between five-to nine-years-old.”

After spending more than 20 years in international risk management, Mr Vingoe says he is not 'anti-car'. 

The retired Poundbury resident of seven years is a member of local motor clubs and is a Motorsport UK licence holder.

Dorset Echo:

The findings of the speeding survey go against the vision of Poundbury, according to Mr Vingoe, as he quoted King Charles saying that the development should be a ‘walkable community, giving priority to people over cars.’

A 20mph proposal was passed by Dorchester Town Council’s Planning and Environment Committee in October 2022, before being ratified a month later.

An application for a Road Traffic Order was submitted to Dorset Council in the following month before the plans ‘stagnated,’ according to Mr Vingoe.

The road not yet being adopted by Dorset Council and still being owned by the Duchy of Cornwall has added complication.

Dorset Echo:

Mr Vingoe said: “Poundbury has no signage, road markings, roundabouts that aren’t roundabouts, it’s a complete free for all.

“With these plans, it leaves a high-speed route around Poundbury for through traffic going towards Dorchester.” he added.

Mr Vingoe said he is concerned that future development could see 1,900 more people settle in the area, meaning that the problem could potentially get worse with more motorists on the road.

Simon Standish, co-chair of Poundbury Residents Association, said many residents see speeding as a 'burning issue' in the area.  

He said: "We've said in the past that we support the issue but we could do more to say something and generate pressure, as we're unsure if the Duchy see this as a burning issue which many residents do.

"We will be discussing this topic at our meeting on Wednesday, January 24." 

Dorset councillor Richard Biggs, who represents Poundbury, said he ‘sincerely hopes’ the 20mph limit can come into place this year, otherwise he’d be left ‘disappointed.’

He said: “Other roads have been jumping the gun and I’m thinking, hang on, shouldn’t we be front of the queue?

“Residents can’t understand why the roads are not adopted, and it’s hard to explain but it feels as though the underlying issue is that the council owns one part of the roads whilst the Duchy owns another.

“People in Poundbury pay their council tax for a certain level of service, which they’re unable to get and it’s been frustrating,” he added.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: "Dorset Council Highways Safety officers met with the Duchy of Cornwall to provide an update.

"Due to limited support for traffic calming measures to support a 20mph zone, we are exploring the possibility of Speed Indicator Devices being installed in this area.

"Most roads within Poundbury are under the control of the Duchy and we will continue working with them, Dorset Police, the local Member and Dorchester Town Council to consider measures to further improve safety, especially within the area of the school."

They added that, during the assessment of current speeds, the road had shown that 'most motorists drive within the speed limit,' saying that only six per cent of vehicles were travelling at or above the prosecution threshold. During school times, this was reduced to 'well below' one percent. 

The spokesperson went on to say that the collision levels in the area are low with very few reported collisions in the last five years relating to speed. 

The Duchy of Cornwall was also approached for a response.