Residents’ victory in fight to cut 40mph speed limit on one of busiest roads in Doncaster

Residents have won a longstanding battle to cut the speed limit on a stretch of one of Doncaster’s busiest roads.
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Campaigners have battled for several years to get the 40mph limit on the Great North Road reduced on the stretch of the route where traffic enters Bawtry from Doncaster.

Now they have received confirmation that Doncaster Council will cut the limit on the section of the road from the quarter-of-a-mile section of the road up to the junction with Martin Lane to 30mph.

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The local authority has notified Bawtry Town Council that the reduction will come into force from June 1.

Bawtry Residents' Group members Doug Cartwright and Richard McHale are concerned over traffic being diverted through the town.Bawtry Residents' Group members Doug Cartwright and Richard McHale are concerned over traffic being diverted through the town.
Bawtry Residents' Group members Doug Cartwright and Richard McHale are concerned over traffic being diverted through the town.

Residents are pleased with the move on a stretch of road that they have regarded as dangerous, and which is close the the towns’ Mayflower Primary School.

Doug Cartwright, a member of Bawtry Residents Group, one of the community organisations which has been calling for the reduction, said residents were pleased with the move.

He said: “Residents have been campaigning for this for the last six years. When you come into Bawtry it is a 40mph limit pretty much to the library, and that includes one of the main school crossing areas.

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"Over the years there have been lots of ‘near misses’, partcularly with children who have been crossing, and there has not been a lollipop patrol there for much of the time.

Pupils at Mayflower Primary School at a previous protest over road safetyPupils at Mayflower Primary School at a previous protest over road safety
Pupils at Mayflower Primary School at a previous protest over road safety

"We have run a big campaign in Bawtry, as well as a petition for it to be reduced.”

Residents believe that since the borough's Great Yorkshire Way airport link road opened in 2016, they have seen a rise in heavy traffic through the town, as drivers try to find a way to beat traffic or blockages on the motorway.

Chairman of Bawtry Residents Association, Richard McHale, had previously told the Free Press residents wanted the 30mph speed limit in the centre of the village extended to help address the issue.

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He said: “If anything happens north of Blyth roundabout, people leave the A1(M), and come through Blyth, Bawtry, Great Yorkshire Way, and then take the M18 to the A1(M). I think people do it as an alternative route.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Liam Hoden, editor.

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