Motorists continue to speed along roads near Gloucester Business Park in Brockworth, where significant frustration has grown due to Gloucestershire County Council’s failure to adopt the roads—nearly two decades after their construction.
These roads remain privately owned, and although speed limit signs are in place, police are unable to enforce speed restrictions because there is no traffic regulation order covering these unadopted routes. This issue surfaced during a council meeting at Shire Hall on June 24, highlighting the challenges this legal gap presents for local enforcement.
Hucclecote parish councillor Chas Townley voiced community concerns, emphasizing the prevalence of speeding and reckless driving habits in the area. He urged the council to either adopt the roads officially or exercise their authority to address the enforcement void on these private roads.
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“There is considerable concern about speeding and unsafe driving behaviors on roads within Gloucester Business Park,” Townley stated. “The adoption of these roads must be addressed within the broader context of Coopers Edge. Correspondence with the developers’ agents as recently as yesterday shows longstanding unresolved issues dating back to 2019.”
The crux of the problem lies in a set of roads that were scheduled for adoption back in 2009. However, 17 years later, these roads remain unadopted, and there appears to be no immediate plan from the council to change this status. Townley questioned when the county council would enforce the section 106 agreement with the developers and formalize the road adoption.
County Councillor Roger Whyborn, cabinet member for road safety, acknowledged his limited familiarity with the details but committed to investigating the matter. “This is unfortunately not an isolated case of delayed road adoption. It’s a complex issue with no straightforward solution, as we’ve encountered before,” he said. “We will provide a response and are open to organizing a meeting to discuss this further between community members, developers, and the council.”
Under the Road Traffic Regulation Act, speeding is a criminal offence on public roads, defined as “any highway and any other road to which the public has access.” However, the current private status of Gloucester Business Park roads means these laws cannot be enforced effectively, creating safety concerns for local residents and businesses.