5.0 Highways
and Traffic
5.1 Character of Local Roads
The A4 Bath Road forms the main arterial route
into Newbury from the west and effectively cuts
Speen into two halves – whilst it is only
a single carriageway road, the volume of and
noise from traffic make it a substantial feature.
The busy road also has a visual effect, observable
in the high enclosing walls of some properties,
narrow pavements and trees cut back to avoid
overhang.
Street scene along
Brummell Road
There are two other east-west routes, Grove
Road/Lambourn Road and Speen Lane, which run
to the north and south respectively of the A4
Bath Road. Grove Road/Lambourn Road marks the
northern edge of the built-up area of Speen
and is flanked to the north by the Parasampia
Golf Course, which provides a rural setting
with many mature trees and outlook across and
up to Donnington Castle.
Speen Lane has many of the characteristics
of a narrow country lane, particularly in the
western half, being tree and hedgerow lined
with few hard edges. It has limited footways
and buildings are generally set back and well
screened from the road. Open to two- way traffic,
it is only capable of single lane traffic in
places. It is a pleasant and popular walking
and cycling route but suffers from high levels
of commuter traffic especially during peak hours
as it serves as an alternative route to the
A4 Bath Road.
View along Speen Lane
at the west end
There has been some replacement of buildings
and apparent infill along Speen Lane which has
reduced tree and shrub cover. West of the old
railway cutting there is strong sense of enclosure
and many fine trees, Wellingtonia, lime, oak
and beech. The character of the lane changes
noticeably at the east end, being more open
with fine views glimpsed to the south.
North of the A4 Bath Road and east of Station
Road is a mix of modern estate roads, of largely
similar design accessed via Brummell Road and
Grove Road serving mainly 1960’s and later
housing and flats.
In addition to the above routes there are a
variety of tracks and paths leading to dwellings
behind the frontage development on the A4 Bath
Road. Two recent linear developments on the
former railway line lead east and west off Station
Road.
View along Speen Lane
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Street furniture
Speen has a multiplicity of signage throughout
the village. Some of these are commercial whilst
others are installed by the local authority.
There are some historic signs in the village,
notably the signpost fingerboard outside the
Hare and Hounds Public House and the milestone
currently obscured in the shrubbery at the entrance
to Majendie Close.
Full street lighting is currently limited to
main roads such as the A4 Bath Road with limited
or no street lighting in minor roads and lanes.
Overhead cables are to be found throughout
the village and these can become an eyesore
and a problem in areas of the village where
there are a lot of trees.
There are a limited number of public seats
in the village but those that are there are
well used.
Parking
On-street parking is not a significant problem
in Speen as most properties have off-street
parking provision and many have garages. There
is lay-by parking for the Post Office, which
is important for it to continue to attract passing
trade. Speen’s proximity to Newbury Town
Centre means that a relatively high proportion
of residents walk to some facilities which helps
to reduce the level of local traffic.
Lambourn Valley Way
5.2 Footpaths and cycle-ways
The rights of way network in and around the
village, particularly Speen Moor, is heavily
used and highly valued by villagers and others.
Apart from roadside walking there are numerous
footpaths within the village ranging from recognized
routes such as the Lambourn Valley Way to minor
paths providing local
access to property. There are many opportunities
to
combine footpaths to create circular routes
which are popular and accessible opportunities
for quiet recreation for residents of Speen
and Newbury.
Lambourn Valley Way
by Church Lych-gate
Speen Lane, Hill Road, Moor Lane and Church Lane
are popular routes for walkers linking with the
Lambourn Valley Way and routes to the River Kennet
and Kennet and Avon Canal. These routes provide
a short circular walk back to Speen Lane via St.
Mary’s Church along an ancient track to
the church lych-gate and Ladywell.
Grove Road and Lambourn Road provide access to
public footpaths through Parasampia Golf Course
and towards Donnington Castle, Bagnor, Woodspeen
and beyond.
To the south of the village the open countryside
provides popular walks and southerly and westerly
views to the Kennet Valley, both from existing
properties, footpaths and from Hill Road and Church
Lane, which are on pedestrian routes to Newbury.
There are no dedicated cycle-ways within the village
but many opportunities for cyclists to use quieter
lanes and roads and to combine with bridleways
and other routes for recreational cycling.
The River Kennet on
Speen Moor
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5.3 Planning Guidance
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27. |
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The
use of modern ‘low noise’ road
surfaces should be considered when resurfacing
through roads. |
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| PG 28. |
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Every effort
should be made to retain the existing rural
character of local roads and any changes
to materials or street furniture, should
be consistent with that character. |
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| PG 29. |
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Where applicable,
appropriate measures should be taken, in
keeping with the character of the roads,
to address road safety concerns, for instance
on Speen Lane and Grove Road. |
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| PG 30. |
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Safe and attractive
crossing points on the A4 for pedestrians
and cyclists would be welcomed to facilitate
north-south movement within and through
Speen. |
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| PG 31. |
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If new development
takes place, particular care should be taken
to ensure that the rural character of roads/lanes
is not damaged, and in particular that any
existing soft green edges and/or sense of
enclosure is not lost through unnecessary
road widening or use of inappropriate surface
materials and boundary treatments. |
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| PG
32. |
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The
impact of street signage should be minimised,
without impairing safety. The historic signposts
and milestones are part of the character
of the village and should be preserved.
Developers are asked to keep temporary signs
at development sites to an absolute minimum
and to remove them as soon as the works
are complete. Similarly, estate agents are
asked to remove signs promptly after the
sale is complete. |
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| PG 33. |
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Where street
lighting is required it should not cause
unnecessary light pollution. Where security
lighting is installed on houses and outbuildings
it should be sensitively designed and sited. |
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| PG 34. |
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Wherever possible,
developers should arrange with the local
electricity and telephone companies to have
cables laid underground rather than on posts
above ground. |
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| PG 35. |
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Additional public
seats should be considered, particularly
in any new development. Where possible they
should be suitably placed to give a good
view and be welcoming to local residents. |
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