Motorists living in affluent London street accuse Labour of installing ‘socialist speed bumps’ that only scrape expensive cars
Motorists on an affluent street in south London have accused Labor of installing ‘socialist speed bumps’ that only damage expensive cars.
Lewisham residents claim new traffic calming measures breach the council’s recommended height limit.
The local authority, which insists it is adhering to national guidelines, installed speed bumps on Lee Terrace in Belmont Hill a few months ago to prevent drivers from exceeding 20mph.
Since then, the municipality has received numerous complaints amid reports of damaged undercarriages of expensive private vehicles.
A report compiled by residents claimed council standards stated that speed bumps should not be higher than 80mm.
But the survey found that five of the 12 cushions measured were between 100 and 105 mm in height.
Architect Andrew Thorp, 59, who lives on the terrace, told The Telegraph he carried out the investigation after his Mercedes C-Class estate repeatedly hit bumps despite being driven “very slowly”.
He said: ‘We pay for accidents with our council tax and then we pay for the damage done to our cars.
The survey found that five out of 12 pillows measured were between 100 and 105 mm in height. A car is seen driving over one of the speed bumps on Lewisham Street
Following reports of damaged undercarriages of expensive private vehicles, the municipality received many complaints
Mr Thorp said these were like ‘socialist speed bumps’ and claimed some vehicles including Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Tesla, Toyota Aygo and Volkswagen Mini were likely damaged
‘Lewisham has spent a lot of time on diversity and inclusion policies but such policies do not apply to travel; ‘Roads are for everyone.’
Mr Thorp said he and other residents supported moves to curb speeding, but the general perception was that speed bumps were too high.
In the images sent to the municipality, it is seen that other drivers are going around them and the vehicles are going over large bumps.
A Labor councilor responded to the complaints by insisting his old VW Golf had no problems going over bumps.
But Mr Thorp said these were like ‘socialist speed bumps’ and claimed some vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Tesla and Toyota Aygo were likely damaged.
Another Lee Terrace resident, Steve Emmott, 67, said he was having trouble driving his Ferrari on the road.
Adding that he had to ‘almost come to a complete stop’ before reaching speed bumps and slowing down to ‘3-5 miles per hour’, he said: ‘We are all pedestrians, cyclists and drivers; That’s why we support the use of speed bumps. But the problem is the size of the objects.’
Mr Emmott claimed standing over bumps would ‘stick the underside out’ of his car.
A police car is seen passing over one of the bumps. Lewisham Council insists ‘all cushions are now permitted sizes’
Lewisham Cyclists, who are part of the London Cycling Campaign, also expressed their opposition to the bumps, claiming that oncoming vehicles ‘turn around the bumps’ and pose a danger to cyclists.
Lewisham Council insisted ‘all cushions are now permitted sizes’.
A spokesman added: ‘We have introduced speed cushions to help drivers comply with the borough’s 20mph limit and make the roads safer for everyone; because previous research has shown that despite clear signage, average speeds are still significantly above the limit.
‘The cushions we install follow national guidelines allowing heights of up to 100mm and meet Department for Transport standards.
‘Earlier this year we identified three around Belmont Hill and Lee Terrace that needed adjustments and these have now been fixed at the contractor’s expense. All cushions are now permissible sizes and can be passed safely by any vehicle traveling at 15-20 mph, although faster driving may result in scratches.
‘The design allows the buses to sit on cushions so services will not be affected. Speed control is vital in this area due to a school near Belmont Hill and a hospital in Lee Terrace.
‘We are monitoring these routes to determine if there is a problem with noise caused by speed bumps and will take action if the impact is significant. ‘We will continue to listen to residents but our priority will remain safer roads for all road users.’
