Shock and anger as Commons speed cameras snap thousands exceeding 50mph in just one week

The data, collected by police for Minchinhampton Parish Council, clocked a total of 100,000 motorists travelled the commons spine road in a week.

Over these seven days, 8,000 drivers were caught doing over 50mph and 200 were doing over 60mph.

The top speed snapped on the 40mph limit by Crane’s Quarry was 89mph.

“These figures are unbelievable,” chairman Cllr Nick Hurst told the meeting.

Cameras also recorded one motorist travelling at 72mph uphill in the 30mph at the top of Brimscombe Hill.

While the average speed was only 42mph and the majority were under 50mph, the high numbers of people exceeding 60mph will come as a blow to landowners and grazers.

“I think people will find it really shocking,” said Cllr John Williams, leader of the Minchinhampton Parish Council Road Safety Group.

“What we have to do is publicise the dangers and appeal to drivers to slow down.

“We also need to look at the layout of the roads and maybe at physical features to slow traffic.”

The data comes as renewed efforts are being made to lower the number of cattle being killed on the commons unfenced roads this summer.

The issue was thrust back into the spotlight following the death of a calf and its mother in separate crashes last month.

A number of methods have already been introduced in an attempt to lower the number of deaths.

Large signs have been put in place to remind car users to be alert when driving – and several of them will be reflective to make sure they can be seen at night.

Fencing has also been built in an attempt to stop cows walking onto the road by the quarry next to the Amberley turn, where the majority of collisions occur.

A Variable Message Sign trailer is also being used to highlight the release of cattle and incidents as they occur.

The commons cattle are cared for by the hayward Mark Dawkins.

He has already said an “enormous percentage” of the accidents since 2013 had involved local people.

Last year eight cattle were killed, the same number as 2014.

Mr Dawkins told a recent National Trust advisory meeting that drivers from Besbury Park, Butterrow Hill, Bowl Hill, Blueboys Park and Swell’s Hill all in Rodborough or Minchinhampton, and from Newmarket, Nailsworth, and King’s Stanley were among drivers who’d crashed with cows.

The spine road is the main route from The Bear of Rodborough across the Minchinhampton Common towards Cirencester and back.