The town council is hoping works to install new speed bumps and reduce the speed limit outside a new housing development will be completed soon.

Plans to extend the scope of a 30mph speed limit by 230 metres and add in eight sets of speed bumps on Warwick Road were approved last year by Warwickshire County Council (WCC) despite seven objections being maintained. 

The decision - which had over 200 notes in support - came after Kenilworth Town Council (KTC) first initiated the idea of improving safety around the Pavilions estate.

KTC had already approved a £62,750 spend from its community infrastructure levy (CIL) pot for the 'Kenilworth Gateway' scheme, which it hopes will also help connect the new residents with the rest of the town.

This was then followed by months of consultations and designs from the county council, before the final green light was given in December 2023.

And now the town council says it has released the funds for the project.

"On 12 January 2023 at a full town council meeting, members unanimously approved funding to cover the cost of installing various enhanced road safety measures along Warwick Road near to the Pavilions housing development," a KTC statement said. 

"The funding was drawn from their community infrastructure levy reserves at a cost of £62,750.00. 

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"In early 2024, Kenilworth Town Council received the invoice from Warwickshire County Council for release of the funds. 

"This has been processed and the sum of £62,750.00 paid in full. 

"Members are hopeful that this work will now be completed by WCC as soon as possible, and the town council will continue to press WCC's minor works team for progress updates."

An official start date for the works has yet to be confirmed.

When permission for the project was granted last year, local resident Chris Torbe spoke in opposition, saying he would have "no hesitation in suing" the council if they damage his wife's car.

He suggested installing a speed camera instead of speed bumps and alleged that the council "does not have a good record of installing road humps as illustrated by the costs incurred following several attempts at getting it right in Leyes Lane". 

He went on to add: "The humps themselves damage a car's suspension if frequently encountered, which (they) will be in our case.

"My wife's car has low ground clearance so please be advised that if it is damaged by the height of these humps we will have no hesitation in suing the council."

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