SPEED bumps in Mudeford Lane have slowed more than just traffic. Councillors have now put the brakes on a similar scheme to reduce vehicle speeds in Stanpit.

The delay until mid-September will give Christchurch Borough Council highways experts time to take a fresh look at the Mudeford Lane traffic calming, carried out as part of the Safety at the School Gate project.

Because of the success of the Mudeford Lane humps, drivers are using nearby roads as rat runs.

And there are concerns that installing pinch pints and a speed hump between the Queen's Road and Bub Lane junctions in Stanpit will worsen the situation.

The 20mph zone in Stanpit is being paid for by £24,550-worth of developer's contributions in exchange for planning permission on the former council depot site.

Road safety concerns about the entrance to the site mean that traffic speeds have to be reduced from 30mph to 20mph for county council highways department approval.

Community services committee chairman and council leader Cllr John Lofts said not one member of the Conservative group favoured the Mudeford Lane speed humps.

Ward councillor Christine Payne said the Mudeford Lane scheme had been successful in slowing drivers but also agreed it was unpopular and could be altered.

"But I hope it will not lessen the aspect of the Safety at the School Gate scheme that it's part of," she said.

Like others, Cllr Mike Duckworth believes the Mudeford Lane scheme is causing drivers to rat-run in Pauntley Road, Warren Avenue and Ledbury Road.

"Until that's done, in my view, it would be foolish to do anything about Stanpit," he said.

Councillors voted for a deferral to September 14 to give officers time to take a holistic approach to the project.

First published: August 25, 2005