They were supposed to make a city road safer.
But drivers barely notice the newly built speed bumps along Mousehold Avenue - because the council's contractors made them too short.
READ MORE: Traders react to results of Norwich Market consultation
Neighbours along the road, who have campaigned for years to get the safety measures introduced, have been left frustrated and puzzled about the point of them.
One woman called the bumps a “waste of money”, while another local said motorists are “still speeding down the road”.
Red-faced council officials said the safety measures cost £7,336 and their contractors will return to raise the speed bumps soon.
SAFTEY PETITION
City folk living on the road close to Mousehold Heath petitioned for an end to drivers speeding on their road for fear of "an accident waiting to happen".
They say many cats have been badly injured and they are worried about the safety of children who regularly walk along the road to attend the school further up.
They were backed by councillor Julie Brociek-Coulton, a Labour member for Sewell ward at the county council, who has been campaigning for more than two years to have the speed bumps put in.
But after the resurfacing works were complete, the council were soon made aware the speed cushions – a traffic calming device where one section in each lane is raised – were not built to specification.
A WASTE OF MONEY?
The situation has left some neighbours questioning whether the traffic calming measures are fit for purpose.
Ruta Ramaske, 47, said: "It's been a waste of money because it has not done anything.
"I wanted them put in but they do not seem to have slowed drivers down."
Sarah Everett, who also signed the petition and is grateful the council took up their pleas, said: "For all these years, the situation has been an accident waiting to happen.
"We thought that if there were some level of speed calming, it would help make the road safer.
"But they're too short so I let councillor Julie know."
Roger Carr, 74, believes the speed bumps are not causing "much resistance".
He said: "They were definitely required but people are still speeding down the road.
"It's a 20mph area and only a small percentage of drivers stick to it. We’re waiting to see if they make any improvements."
Christina Green, who has lived on Mousehold Avenue for 21 years, says the speed bumps being installed have helped because drivers who see the markings are forced to slow down anyway.
The 63-year-old said: "Drivers get to the speed bump, slow down and then speed off again. But before they used to just fly down the road.
"This area has improved since they were installed."
Mark Fenton suggested the bumps be turned into speed tables, where the surface across the width of the road is raised.
The 65-year-old said: "We've still got cars speeding over them but I will say that people who see them ahead will slow down."
He added: "It would be better if they were all crossing tables."
'CONTRACTORS WILL SORT'
Norfolk County Council has confirmed the speed calming measures will be made higher at the expense of the contractors who built them.
Cllr Julie Brociek-Coulton said: "It's great to see that the speed humps will help slow down speed and improve the lives of those who live on Mousehold Avenue.
"Many thanks to the Norfolk County Council highways team who have worked with us on this project and will be making the speed humps a bit higher soon."
"However, we soon identified that these had not been installed to the required specification.
"We contacted the contractor immediately who will be revisiting the site to rectify the issue at their own expense. There will be no extra cost to Norfolk County Council."
Share