2.3.1    The following measures were seen as those that would improve safety along the roads of the parish, in order of priority:

2.3.2    To make it safer for children to exit the village green area, the following order of measures was seen to be most effective:

2.3.3-2.3.5       Only 35% of respondents said that they were concerned about crime in the Parish, whilst 62% would consider joining a neighbourhood watch scheme and 63% would like to see more frequent police patrols.

The table below breaks this down by age group, with the general pattern being that people in the 60+ age group appear to be more concerned about crime than younger age groups.

 Comments on crime and safety issues included: 

“No high sided vehicles parked right outside the school gates which restrict clear views and compromise safety” 

(Stone wall at end of village hall) “Possibly lowered rather than completely removed” 

“Why do they think the other side of the road would be better / that’s the bit they are doing anyway!” 

“30mph restriction between Steps Bridge and Green Bridge essential especially the length from the bend at Moor Park Garage to the T junction of the B3193. The latter is now used as a commuter overtaking stretch. Motor cyclists especially delight in winding up engines to max revs. here in the summer. Also essential that the footpath that was under construction here 2 years ago be extended and its surfacing be completed” 

“Very important to reduce speed limit approaching and exiting Dunsford area” 

“2.3.1c: A car park would not necessarily improve safety – access, increase of traffic, a ‘hanging-about’ place etc.                                     2.3.1g, 2d: The present congestion probably does much to keep speeds down but perhaps an illuminated reminder sign (with a smiley face for good drivers) would help (seen in other areas – not made up, honestly!) 2.3.3: We all are concerned about crime in general but on the whole we feel fairly safe here.                                                                                       2.3.4: Many of us operate a voluntary scheme with neighbours” 

“Speed bumps in village” 

“We are new to the area and have to say a little shocked by the poor road safety in the village / surrounding area. The village area needs to be a 20mph limit (as occurs close to most schools); this is largely achieved now by the parking / congestion. The B3212 and road from it to the village needs a pedestrian path all the way along it from Strawberry Hill to Royal Oak. Speed limits might help on B3212 (40mph from Steps Bridge car park to Reedy) but are often poorly observed. Rural areas we moved from had the road width (but not visibility) reduced to a single lane, by the Council. This worked” 

“Items marked thus (2.3.2a, 2.3.2b) are very important and should have been done a long time ago. Speed humps required near village hall to create pedestrian zone and safe exit from hall” 

“2.3.1: Comment: Provision of cycle tracks.” 

“2.3.1b: Traffic calming: Briton Street and main road as well (new pavement to Strawberry Hill very good.)” 

“I’m not aware that crime has increased in the parish I would be concerned if it has. Prevention would be my preferred choice with neighbourhood watch & visible police patrols.” 

“I am a contact member of the neighbourhood watch scheme” 

“20 mph in village” 

“Police patrols on foot would be more effective than a quick flip through in the police car, so the community could get to know their local policeman.” 

“How many accidents have there in fact been? Do we have to destroy appearance of the village with road furniture?” 

“Traffic calming measures and lumps of tarmac in the village are totally out of keeping with the environment and serve no purpose in road safety If you build a pavement on the village hall side there will be no road left.” 

“How would we reduce speed limits in village? We do not want ugly signs to go with the ugly traffic calming that is being forced upon us.” 

“2.3.2a: Absolutely this is extremely dangerous. The road narrowing is also on the wrong side of the road as it forces traffic closer to the stone wall by the village hall.” 

“To improve safety No parking outside the school.” 

“It has been reassuring to see our community policeman in the village.” 

“The red light that other villages use to flash up the speed limit seems very effective. The B3212 is a potentially lethal road and should have a 30mph limit.” 

“(Road Safety) Instead of introducing additional control with little guarantee that they’d work, the real need is to change the driving habits of locals who themselves constitute the greatest hazard. What might be done about late commuters in too great a hurry, and some of the school run offenders?” 

“2.3.1: Improve safety along the roads: also reduce speed limit on all the lanes (not just B3212)” 

“Reduction of very large vehicles on the Exeter-Moretonhampstead Road. The road is unsuitable for them.” 

“Regarding B3212 – No speed limit necessary, but the new footpath is a disgrace. The completed portion is quite dangerous because the surface is uneven & you have to dodge the brambles. The most dangerous section of the road (towards Meadhay Corner) should be completed and the whole path given a safe surface.” 

“Large vehicles parked right outside of school gate, making visibility difficult for children and cars.” 

“Pedestrianise the whole of the top of the village or discourage cars by extreme traffic calming. Do not build car parks – they only encourage more cars!" 

“If a field could be purchased at the top end of the village for a new hall and car park (& surgery?), then demolish existing hall for car park in the village centre.” 

“This is all a bit ridiculous: this is Dunsford not central Manchester.” 

“The safety of Dunsford’s inhabitants, regarding safety is already in jeopardy due to traffic scheme installed in the village centre. There should be ziz-zag signs outside the school No parking from the court entrance through the village to the Royal Oak. Now children are emerging from the hall exit/entrance straight into path of vehicles on that side of the road. This would also mean reversing around a corner into on coming vehicle path. If no parking was enforced perhaps we may see a policeman walking the village to enforce it.“ 

“What evidence is there of the lack of road safety?”