Haddenham launches the 2024 Slower is Safer Campaign
40 local people, including 6 pupils who make up Robert Arkenstall Primary School’s Road Safety Squad, representatives from the County Council and East Cambridgeshire District Council, Parish Councillors, hauliers MLH, AG Wright and EJ & RE Clark, schoolchildren’s parents and our Neighbourhood Policing Team sergeant attended the launch of the Haddenham Road Safety Campaign on 31st January 2024.
This initiative is a continuation of work carried out by Haddenham Parish Council and Robert Arkenstall Primary School last year to promote road safety and encourage reduction in the use of the village roads by heavy goods vehicles as a short cut. Speed monitoring and “Lorry Watch” took place in early 2023 and during March some central village roads were designated 20 mph.
Cambridgeshire County Council has been involved from the start, Lizzi Wales & Cal Easey from the Communities Team have been working with the Road Safety Squad and applied for funding from the East Cambs Community Safety Partnership to pay for the merchandise to be used in the campaign.
Parish Chair Stephen Thompson introduced proceedings saying that Haddenham Parish Council is “passionate about road safety”. He explained that the poster designed by a school pupil, called Noah, will be the road safety brand and shared some of the results of the recent work. He also thanked AG Wright, EJ & RE Clark and MLH as fine examples of commercial vehicle operators who always drive safely and observe the speed limits.
Reduction in speed since the implementation of the 20mph zone
| Haddenham location | 30mph in place | 20 mph in place |
| Station Rd | 46% traffic at 30mph or below | 78% traffic at 30mph or below |
| Hop Row | 84% traffic at 30mph or below | 88% traffic at 30mph or below and 65% at 25mph or below |
Cambridgeshire County Councillor Bill Hunt said “Haddenham has a smashing parish council,” and regarding the road safety initiative, “It’s working.” There are still some issues with speeding vehicles on the steep and narrow Station Road (the A1421) and this is an area under ongoing review. 
Cllr Hunt explained that Cambridgeshire County Council voted unanimously on his motion to include the A 1421 in the first tranche of A-road safety reviews.
Lizzi Wales introduced the 6 members of the Road Safety Squad, Hettie, Joseph, Emily, Leila, Holly and Charlotte all of whom are year 6 pupils at Robert Arkenstall Primary School. The children presented their campaign, highlighting their aims and passing thanks to everyone involved.
Although unable to attend the launch event, our local MP, Lucy Frazer, had sent a supportive video message in advance.
The campaign materials have been designed to be bright and eye catching as well as instantly recognisable. As part of the campaign, free wheelie bin stickers will be delivered to properties within the 20mph zone, magnetic campaign posters will be displayed on the vehicles of local businesses, and a number of banners and posters will be displayed around the village.
Parents at Robert Arkenstall Primary School and Haddenham Pre-school will be asked to sign up to the “Parent Pledge” as part of the campaign.
“As a parent I promise to drive slower, be safe, be more aware, to use my eyes and not to take risks. I promise not to use my phone when driving and to respect lives.”
The parish council would like to thank our local hauliers, MLH, AG Wright and EJ & RE Clark for their ongoing support, including bringing their vehicles to our launch event.
The campaign will run throughout 2024, it is a great example of collaborative working between 3 different council entities, local businesses, schoolchildren, parents and villagers with a shared aim to make our roads safer for all.
All photos credited to Graham How
