ePetition details

Extend China Farm Lane 20mph zone to make safer for horses and equestrians

We the undersigned petition the council to Extend the 20mph zone on China Farm Lane to include the horse crossing area outside China Plate Farm. Road incidents involving horses are on the rise on the Wirral, however, China Farm Lane’s greatest horse crossing hotspot outside China Plate Farm is not part of 20mph reductions. The current 20mph reduction only applies to China Farm Lane from its junction with Frankby Road, ending to a point 50 metres north west of Grange Farm Crescent. This then increases to 30 which encourages acceleration on a blind bend on a busy route used by school busses, trucks, vans and cars. Equestrians have to cross this hazardous stretch daily to enter paddocks directly opposite the farm or as a starting point when exiting the farm for hacking. We would ask that the 20mph zone is extended on China Farm Lane to its junction with Saughall Massie Road or 50 meters north west of the farm, whichever is farther.

Earlier this year, The British Horse Society, as part of the Dead Slow campaign, revealed that from January 1 2022 to December 31 2022 there was a total of 17 incidents in Wirral.

This is an increase of two from the previous year (2021), which totaled 15.

Started by: Katy Davies

This ePetition ran from 21/07/2023 to 01/11/2023 and has now finished.

34 people signed this ePetition.

Council response

Part of China Farm Lane, from its junction with Frankby Road to a point 50m north of Grange Farm Crescent is now subject to 20mph. This area comprises of residential properties fronting onto the carriageway and therefore fits the criteria for the lower speed limit to be applied. The section to the north is not residential and therefore was proposed to remain at its current speed limit in order to provide a gateway feature into the residential area. The full extent of China Farm Lane has previously been reduced in speed limit to 30mph.

It has been brought to our attention that the full extent of China Farm Lane is used by horse riders accessing and egressing China Plate Farm Livery yard and it has been requested that 20mph applies to the full extent of the road rather than just the southern section.

Officers have discussed this request and have agreed that an Automatic Traffic Count (ATC) should be carried out in the area to get an indication of mean traffic speeds and the numbers and classes of vehicles using the road.

This data will then be used to determine whether an extension to the 20mph speed limit to cover the full extent of the road is warranted and viable.