Yesterday I was out with the petition for the speed limit in Amberley to be reduced to 20 mph.

The limit is currently 40 mph, because that is the speed limit on the Common (to preserve the cows!) and apparently the National Trust won’t let it be reduced in the built-up area. Residents have been concerned by this for some time. Part of the village is very narrow and steep; however, the street lighting (such as it is) is not enough for a mandatory 30 mph limit. The school - just to the south of the crossroads - is slightly away from the main residential part of the village, so there is a lot of concern about the safety of children walking to school.  Boy racers see the 40 mph limit as a challenge.

Before the County election I started a petition, but during the campaign was more interested in canvassing, though I had the petition with me. The post-election leaflet had a short version of the petition on it.

There has been considerable enthusiasm in Lower Littleworth and Theescombe, along the lane to the north of the main part of the village, and I think this could be fertile territory for a Quiet Lane, as is coming to fruition in the more rural part of Rodborough.

I was asked to take sheets in to the Post Office and did so about a month ago; I collected the completed sheets yesterday morning and they make a significant addition to the number of signatures - even discounting several people who have now signed three times! I took the petition house to house yesterday afternoon with considerable success. we now have over 100 signatures from a widespread village of less than 400 homes. However, there is more to do and I will be out again today and later this week.

What will Gloucestershire LibDems do for the county’s transport needs?

* tackle the £130m backlog of roads maintenance backlog

A Liberal Democrat council will set out a clear plan for quality road repairs around the county.

* enough salt to keep our roads safe and open in winter

No more begging from other councils for salt to keep our roads open in winter. We will make sure we have a full supply of road salt for our needs.

* A fast rail service to London is important for the county economy

We will press the government to secure funding to deliver the dual tracking of the line between  Kemble and Swindon to speed up services to the capital.

* cycling keeps you fit, it’s great for the environment

The county needs a network of cycle hire facilities for local and visitor use - new dedicated cycle paths will be encouraged.

Another thing about the road I live on is that it would be ideal for a Quiet Lane. However, Gloucestershire County Council are set against the formalities of Quiet Lanes, as they reckon the costs of consultation, etc aren’t balanced by the good done by the road’s new status.

It would be interesting to know if anyone has positive experience of Quiet Lanes, or whether it’s one of those government initiatives that sounds good but has been loaded with so much bureaucracy that it is better left alone.

Our lane is seriously ancient, having evolved to join the homes built along the spring line, when the valley was undrained marsh.

This stretch of road is theoretically 40mph (I’m surprised that people who take this at face value don’t come to a sticky end on one of the bends) and there’s another marked with ‘national speed limit’ signs. However, this having been pointed out to the County, they have agreed to rationalise the situation and take away the silliest signs, probably limiting the whole length to 30 mph.

The street-lighting situation also seems perverse. There are two within a few yards of this house and about another six outside the present 30mph area. They all seemed like a waste of electricity to me so, when the County initially suggested turning off some street lights from midnight until 5am, I consulted about turning the lot off. The response was mixed and I eventually left well alone, as the County wasn’t going to turn them off under the new regime.