Calls by a senior Cornwall councillor to scrap speed bumps have received a mixed response from the public.

Philip Desmonde, Cabinet member for transport at Cornwall Council, was asked about the issue at a meeting of full council on Tuesday.

The Conservative councillor said that he would like to see speed bumps removed and claimed they are a danger to health and the environment.

Cllr Desmonde said that he would rather see more signage, cameras and enforcement used to tackle speeding drivers rather than installing humps.

His comments have prompted a lively debate on social media with people divided on whether they supported him or not.

David Armistead suggested an alternative to speed bumps, looking at Europe for inspiration, he said:

"In many places in France, they have planted hedges along the roadside, effectively narrowing the road and making the environment attractive too. OK, it has to be trimmed once or twice a year but traffic slows, the place looks better and drivers are not irritated."

Nay Blight said that rather than removing speed bumps were needed:

"He needs to come and spend half an hour on Trefusis Terrace in Redruth and realise that speed bumps are needed on so many more roads. The speed they come down here is ridiculous. I actually fear for my toddlers safety when stepping out my front door."

And Frankie Warren commented:

"Danger to health accelerating and decelerating!?? Codswallop!!! Utter rubbish, speed bumps work as they were intended to, they slow vehicles – fact. Without them watch the speeding increase, plus the accident statistics will undoubtedly rise. The councillor is well adrift of reality on this one!"

However, Adam Presneill was more in agreement with Cllr Desmonde saying:

"They're absolutely pointless, taller cars can just go straight over them without slowing down at all doing whatever speed they like, yet lower cars have to come to almost a standstill to get over them without scraping. Speed cameras would be much better."

And M'Lady Warner said:

"He's not wrong. A plan was proposed to use on-street parking as a traffic calming measure on the street outside of my house which would have meant parked engine running and accelerating cars leaching fumes into my house all day long.

"Not fair when it is the drivers who need to be controlled and action taken against them. Cameras, fixed speed systems, or better still massive penalties or revoking of licences for those caught driving dangerously in towns are a far healthier and fairer solution."

Telford78 said:

"Can't stand speed bumps, a lot of cars can straddle them and go over without slowing down. Average speed cameras would be better. Speed bumps are so bad for your car and tyres as well as they don't get serviced very often and they break up. Think they cause more problems than they solve."

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