Disputes Arise over L699: Neighbors Advocate for Increased Safety Measures
Residents of L699 Propose Measures to Reduce Speed and Noise
The L699 citizens' initiative, composed of residents living along the L699 between Breckerfeld and Ennepetal in Germany, is taking action to address concerns about speed and noise issues on their local stretch of road.
The group has presented several proposals aimed at improving safety and reducing noise pollution. These include:
- Speed reduction measures: Lowering speed limits on critical sections of the L699 to slow traffic and enhance safety for residents and road users.
- Traffic calming installations: Introducing speed bumps, chicanes, or narrowing road lanes to deter speeding and smooth traffic flow.
- Noise reduction infrastructure: Erecting noise barriers or planting dense vegetation to absorb and block traffic noise impacting nearby residential areas.
- Improved signage and enforcement: Increasing signage to warn drivers about speed limits and noise-sensitive zones, coupled with enhanced police or automated speed enforcement.
- Enhanced monitoring and public involvement: Setting up better traffic and noise monitoring systems and involving the community in ongoing feedback and adjustment of measures.
In addition, the citizens' initiative is considering measures that encourage considerate behavior, such as posters saying "Thank you for driving slowly." They are also considering the installation of bike lanes and rumble strips that run across the roadway to cause motorcyclists to reduce their speed.
A meeting with representatives from Landesbetrieb Straßen-NRW was arranged for early August to present the ideas of the L 699 citizens' initiative. The meeting took place at Ennepetal Town Hall, attended by the mayor, police, city representatives, NABU, Pro-Rad-EN, and politicians.
Astrid Schnitzlohne and Tobias Krug, residents of the country road between Breckerfeld and Ennepetal and spokespeople for the L 699 citizens' initiative, have been at the forefront of these efforts. Tobias Krug has personally measured noise levels on the L699 between Breckerfeld and Ennepetal with a calibrated device, with the display showing up to 95 decibels.
The number of vehicles on the L699 between Breckerfeld and Ennepetal was counted in a recent traffic survey, with 500 vehicles per day. Despite the relatively low traffic count, the citizens' initiative does not want to remain inactive. They aim to make noise levels bearable along the L699 between Breckerfeld and Ennepetal.
The weather on the measurement days was bad, resulting in almost no motorcycle riders making a special trip. However, the residents remain hopeful that their proposals will be successful in reducing speed and noise on the L699 between Breckerfeld and Ennepetal, ultimately improving the quality of life for local residents. Speed cameras would be welcomed by the residents as a means to reduce speed and noise. The L 699 citizens' initiative looks forward to the meeting in August and the potential for positive change on their local road.
- The L699 citizens' initiative is also contemplating instituting measures in the 'industry' of transportation, such as the installation of bike lanes and rumble strips, to encourage slower speeds from motorcyclists on the L699.
- In their efforts to improve the financial health of the community, the citizens' initiative welcomes the potential installation of speed cameras on the L699, as it could lead to reduced speed and noise pollution, improving the overall quality of life for residents.
