In 2005 a comprehensive rat-run survey was undertaken to establish movements in the Alwyn Road area. People were positioned at 12 locations who recorded number plates passing their station. From this data it was possible to work out where drivers started and finished their journeys and to distinguish local residents movements from out of town people who were using the residential streets as a rat-run rather than take their turn at the signals.
In 2007, a simpler survey was carried out to investigate residents concerns about speeding along Alwyn Road.This survery was requested by us as a result of concerns raised by residents.
We have the results of both of these surveys, should anyone wish to view them. However, at first glance they did look incomprehensible. So we decided to simplify the process and ask the officer involved to summarise the information to address the following questions, raising residents concerns -
Q1. Are vehicles exceeding the speed limit?
Answer. No. The speed surveys observed approx 1550 vehicles each day. The average speed observed by 85% of vehicles was approx 20 mph. The highest speed bracket (29-32 mph) was recorded 18 times in a total of 20,000 vehicles. No speeds above 32 mph were recorded.
2. Is Alwyn Road being used as a rat run?
Answer. No. On the day of the survey, 694 trips were observed. If rat-runners are defined as drivers who leave a major road to pass through a quiet residential street to access another major road rather than us the major road junction, those who go between Burtree Lane and Longfield Road/Bowman Street would fit this description. The survey shows this happening 16 times which represents only 2.3%.
3. Are the vehicles using the road local?
Answer. Yes. This question is the opposite of Q2. 678 trips are made by people either going to or departing from Trevone, Falmouth, Newquay, Marazion, Newlyn, Cambourne, Princess, Kent, Ketton, Marina, Alwyn, Melrose, Kirkfield and Washbrook, together representing 97.7% of all trips.
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