Current traffic calming measures "insufficient"
More speed humps are to be installed at a once infamous rat run in Plymouth’s North Prospect as a traffic calming scheme is not working.
An executive decision was made on Monday by Plymouth City Council’s cabinet member for transport John Stephens (Lab, Plymstock Dunstone) to add two extra road humps in West Down Road.
Further safety improvements were considered necessary as the humps and 20mph speed limit installed in 2019 had “proven insufficient in reducing vehicle speeds along certain sections,” said a council report.
The location of the new round-top speed humps will be approximately 50 metres from the centre of the West Down Road junction with Beacon Park Road and approximately 110 metres from the centre of the West Down Road junction with Furneaux Road.
Proposals were advertised on the street, in the Plymouth Herald and on Plymouth City Council’s website on September 26, 2025 and there were no objections to the plans.
West Down Road was known for drivers speeding and ‘rat running’ in the residential street to avoid traffic on North Prospect Road, which also received a new speed limit six years ago and ‘speed cushions’.
More 20mph speed limits were introduced by Plymouth City Council this year in parts of Stoke and a phase two plan for Stonehouse will follow.
News homeless hostel in Kingskerswell
Near £8m overspend predicted by Devon County Council
Blue Islands cancels all flights and suspends trading
£850,000 upgrades to Barnstaple travel options
Tavistock to Plymouth rail line funding still in doubt
