Traffic Calming

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is traffic calming?
• The traffic on my street is travelling too fast. Can anything be done to help?
• Can I have traffic calming installed on my street?
• What kinds of traffic calming can be installed?
• Can the traffic calming on my street be resited, moved or removed?
• Traffic numbers have increased on my street since I moved in - can anything be done?
• Do you undertake traffic counts?
• Can I ask for traffic count information?

What is traffic calming?

Traffic calming is when engineering methods are used to reduce the speed and/or volumes of traffic using a particular road or roads in an area.

The traffic on my street is travelling too fast. Can anything be done to help?

There are several ways of dealing with speeding traffic. Often we have to rely on the police to enforce the existing speed limits. There are other situations where engineering measures are more appropriate and traffic calming devices could be considered. However, the council already has a long list of requests for traffic calming and generally those roads where speed related injury accidents have occurred are dealt with as priority. Other requests have to be assessed and prioritised and the most deserving cases dealt with as and when resources permit.

Can I have traffic calming installed on my street?

You can have your street assessed to see if traffic-calming measures are appropriate. For further information please complete the form and send the details to us. The Council already has a long list of requests for traffic calming and generally those roads where speed related injury accidents have occurred are dealt with as priority. Other requests have to be assessed and prioritised and the most deserving cases dealt with as and when resources permit.

What kinds of traffic calming can be installed?

The following are all examples of the type of traffic calming that might be used:

• Road humps
• Raised plateaux at road junctions
• Speed cushions
• Road narrowing
• Chicanes
• Lower Speed limits
• Speed Cameras
• Road closures

The most appropriate choice of device will depend on such things as:

• The classification of the road ("A" class, "B" class, distributor road, residential street, cu-de-sac)
• Access for emegency services
• Bus routes
• Level of on-street parking
• Proximity of industrial/business premises
• Existence of road junctions/private access

Can the traffic calming on my street be resited, moved or removed?

It is possible that alterations could be made to existing traffic calming measures if they prove to be causing a hazard to motorists or pedestrians. It is unlikely though that major changes will be made to overcome local "inconvenience".

Traffic numbers have increased on my street since I moved in - can anything be done?

There is a natural yearly increase in the amount of traffic on the roads in Tameside. An increase of almost 1% was recorded last year. Traffic growth within a specific location may be as a result of changes in your area that cannot be helped. If, however, you feel the increase is attributable to "rat running" traffic (people taking short cuts) it can be assessed by a Traffic Officer.

Do you undertake traffic counts?

No, the Authority employs the Greater Manchester Transportation Unit who carry traffic census and counts. The different types of traffic counts that are carried out are:

• Classified junction counts
• Pedestrian counts
• Two way flow information
• Registration counts
• Manual radar speed checks
• Automatic counts are also arranged if required

Can I ask for traffic count information?

The information is available if requested. The cost depends on the extent of the information provided. If you would like further information please contact us.

Do Tameside keep information on changes in traffic flows?

Yes - information is kept on changes in traffic flows and it is monitored long term. If you would like further information please contact us.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Traffic Management Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map
0161 342 3926
0161 342 3924