We have received the following message from Sue H:
I sit in our kitchen and listen to the whoosh of cars or the great clanking of tractors that are simply going too fast. (For the most part lorries and vans approach at a much more acceptable speed). I can’t say whether vehicles are actually breaking the speed limit but they are certainly driving too fast to be safely under control. I really fear for a serious accident at some point. There have already been 2 kittens killed on the road and I hate the thought that at some point it could well be a child. We have 9 youngsters along this stretch, some of whom are old enough to be road savvy but others who will just be starting to venture out on their own.
Perhaps drivers are not aware that they are already in the village when they come down from Townhead. Or perhaps they think that they have already left all civilisation once past the Hall on their way up through Parwich Dale. Nobody seems to take notice of the existing “school” sign. I seem to remember someone mentioning Brassington’s idea for slowing down traffic at entry points to the village: white road markings and white fencing to give the impression of the road narrowing. Is this something we should be considering? Or what about setting a 20 mph limit through the village? Maybe this would be the only way to make people more responsible in their driving.
PARWICH.ORG 
I agree. I think there are a few really dangerous places in Parwich where there could be a serious accident because of drivers just not taking enough care. In particular the corner you mention as well as the corner by Parwich Hall leading up the hill. So many times I’ve seen cars coming past the hall and cruising round this bend which has no view of anyone coming down the hill. I really fear when I see kids (mine included) biking or scootering down towards this bend and always keep away from the corner and make them aware.
I think we do need some more signs or road markings but at the same time we’ve just got to make our kids aware that even in a quiet village they have to assume that they’re out to get you!
I also agree that we have a potential tragedy awaiting us. The other areas that are really worrying, are near the play equipment and then Creamery Lane, when the children rush out from Parson’s Croft.
I am not convinced that more signs are the answer: markings on the road, some form of road narrowing – as in Brassington and a reduction in the speed limit might help.
Maybe controversial but could we have a speed monitoring device set up for a day, not to punish drivers, but maybe to make us all aware of how many speeding vehicles there are and how many of them actually come from our community. It may be that most do stay within the 30MPH, but it is just too high a speed limit.
It would be interesting to know what the actual speeds of vehicles are through the village, in particular at the points mentioned. Perhaps the Parish Council could arrange some survey with a few volunteers and a speed gun. It has been done elsewhere.
I totally agree with the above comments, as a mother of two very young children I do notice the speeds of vehicles passing through the village. On many an occasion whilst out walking with the pushchair I have had to dive into the bushes at the side of the road to avoid a car that is driving too fast for the conditions. Not sure how you tackle it though as even if you reduce the speed limit to 20mph some people will not take any notice, whilst driving at 30mph in Hulland Ward I quite often have cars overtake me or sit so close to my back bumper trying to intimidate me into breaking the speed limit.
I’m not a resident but do live in the Peak Distirct and hope you don’t mind comments from an outsider.
Friends of the Peak District have been very successful in getting traffic calming measures introduced in villages across the Peak District sometimes in conjunction with reduced speed limits. Their very capable transaport campaigner Anne Robinson is the person to contact, via the charity office based in Sheffield. See their website http://www.friendsofthepeak.org.uk or tel: 0114 266 5822.
I’m a former employee and spent 7 happy years working with the staff and volunteers. I am am sure they would be very happy to lend their expert advice and support to what ever degree was required by the Parwich community.
Steph Woodhouse
I agree with Sue. Walking my 3 kids to school and back is a heart in the mouth experience. Not only is some traffic going much too fast, there is no pavement on Smithy Lane to provide any demarcation to protect children. It was bad enough to lose the kittens without there being anything much more serious. I would welcome any traffic-calming measures. Steph’s suggestion sounds great.
I agree with everyone, we have two separate but horribly linked problems: carelessly speeding drivers and happily carefree children all using the same road.
There are certainly cars and tractors going too fast for the village conditions, careering through the village and round the blind corner by the pub opposite the playground where there are almost bound to be children – if not adults – on the road.
But we also have the problem of children seeing the village roads as their playground. We see them playing happily outside, hurtling down Creamery Lane or out of Parson’s Croft on various contraptions, confident – if they think about it at all – that adult drivers will avoid them.
As a village we recognize the problem and as drivers we all have a personal responsibility but so do the children and so do their parents if they will allow their children to play on the road.
What can we do? I agree that some expert advice would be a great help. I am sure the school would help. Otherwise it is truly a tragedy (for both driver and parents) just waiting to happen.
It’s great to see so many comments! I’ve looked at the Friends of the Peak website and wonder how we can take this forward…Should I ensure something is brought up at the next Parish Council meeting or do we need to form some sort of action group? Anyone interested?I’d be very happy to have a chat with F of the P. (It’s great that we have “outsiders” reading our blog).
This is on the Agenda for the next Parish Council meeting, which is on Tuesday (details will be posted on the Blog this afternoon). The Police will also be sending our local PCSO to the meeting.
The Parish Council may be keen for volunteers to do the information gathering and any surveying required to present a case for action to Highways. This could be done simply as an informal group reporting to the Parish Council, or as the Village Action Group, again reporting to the Council.