Questions are being raised over the enforceability of the recently installed 20mph limit in the Charlton Park area of Midsomer Norton, following concerns from residents and local Councillors. The larger debate about whether Charlton Road should have been included also continues. (See Your Letters, Pages 2, 18 and 21).

B&NES Council clearly states on its website that the Midsomer Norton area was withdrawn from the 20mph programme. However, the Traffic Order published in October 2013, entitled 'Various Roads, Radstock and Westfield 20mph Speed Limit', included roads in Midsomer Norton. Residents are now increasingly pointing out that as no-one in Midsomer Norton was expecting it to apply to them, most people didn't pay any attention to it. More surprising too, is that the Traffic Order schedule, specifically listing all the roads affected, whilst including Charlton Road, Lyndhurst Road and The Timbers, did not include Charlton Park, Boundary Close or Grange End.

Whilst Traffic Order notices were put on lamp posts in the area concerned, the only way residents would have known that Charlton Park, Lyndhurst Road and The Timbers were included would have been if they had visited The Hollies or looked online to see the detailed map that went with the Traffic Order.

"In my experience, it is highly irregular to attempt to implement and enforce a speed restriction which has not been listed in the actual Traffic Order. It is also questionable whether the required consultation exercise for this 20mph limit has been fit for purpose," said Cllr Chris Watt, (Cons., Midsomer Norton Redfield).

"On the one hand, it specifically drew resident's attention to Radstock and Westfield in its title, whilst at the same time, listing some roads which were in Midsomer Norton and arbitrarily missing others out. Overlay onto this the fact that B&NES clearly stated a policy framework which excludes Midsomer Norton from the 20mph limit and what has resulted is incredibly confusing for residents."

Traffic Orders are critical legal documents which form the basis for the police enforcing laws and the Crown Prosecution Service prosecuting anyone who breaks them. Hence the importance of Traffic Orders being absolutely accurate."Having finally been able to establish the facts, Cllr Chris Watt and I have written to the B&NES Solicitor, raising our concerns over the nature of the original consultation and the validity of the resulting Traffic Order and hope to hear back very shortly given the importance of this matter to local residents," said Cllr Paul Myers, (Cons., Midsomer Norton Redfield).

B&NES Council was unable to comment as The Journal went to press. Hopefully, more details next week.