Imagine paying taxes for road safety measures only to have them damage your car—and not just any car, but the pricier family vehicles that many rely on. This is the reality for residents in Blackheath, south London, who are now calling these installations 'socialist speed bumps.' But here's where it gets controversial: are these speed cushions a necessary safety measure or a costly nuisance for drivers of high-performance and luxury cars? Let’s dive in.
In the leafy streets of Lee Terrace and Belmont Hill, locals are up in arms over Lewisham Council’s speed cushions, which they claim are scraping the undercarriages of their vehicles. Frustrated motorists took matters into their own hands, commissioning an independent engineering survey that revealed a startling fact: 12 out of 15 sampled speed cushions exceeded the council’s recommended height limit. The report alleges that five of these bumps measured between 100mm and 105mm, far surpassing the council’s stated 80mm standard. But the council disputes these findings, insisting all installations comply with national guidelines. So, who’s telling the truth?
These measures were introduced months ago to enforce 20mph speed limits in the area, a move aimed at enhancing safety near a local school and hospital. However, for drivers like Andrew Thorp, a 59-year-old architect, the reality is far from ideal. Thorp, whose Mercedes C-Class estate has scraped the bumps multiple times despite driving at low speeds, aptly labeled them 'socialist speed bumps.' 'We’re paying for these bumps with our council tax, and then we’re paying again for the damage to our cars,' he told The Telegraph. And this is the part most people miss: vehicles like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Tesla, Toyota Aygo, and Volkswagen Mini are particularly vulnerable to grazing these humps.
Ferrari owner Steve Emmott, 67, shared his own ordeal, explaining that he has to slow down to between three and five miles per hour before each hump. 'If I try to straddle them, I’ll damage the underside of my car,' he said. Even retired civil engineer Andrew Holmes, 82, raised concerns about the noise pollution caused by heavy vehicles striking the bumps. 'Skip lorries are the worst. The impact can shake the house, no matter how slow they’re going,' he noted.
But it’s not just drivers who are frustrated. Local cyclists, affiliated with the London Cycling Campaign, have joined the chorus of complaints. They warn that cars swerving around the cushions pose a significant danger to riders, with oncoming vehicles veering into bike lanes and cars cutting in front of cyclists to avoid the humps. This raises a critical question: are these speed cushions making the roads safer or creating new hazards?
Lewisham Council has defended the installations, stating they adhere to national guidelines allowing heights up to 100mm and meet Department for Transport standards. However, the authority admitted that three humps near Belmont Hill and Lee Terrace required adjustments earlier this year, which were corrected at the contractor’s expense. 'All cushions are now within permitted sizes and can be crossed safely by all vehicles at 15-20mph,' a council spokesman said. 'Driving faster may cause scraping.'
Here’s where it gets even more contentious: While the council argues that speed control is essential due to the proximity of a school and hospital, critics question whether the current design strikes the right balance between safety and practicality. Is it fair to penalize drivers of lower-riding vehicles, or should the council reconsider its approach?
What do you think? Are these speed cushions a necessary evil for road safety, or do they unfairly target certain types of vehicles? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your thoughts!
