Slow down for pets & people

Please support our NCAR Petition on Change.org!

We are calling on the council to reduce the speed limit on the road leading to North Clwyd Animal Rescue (CH8 9BD). At present, this road is an accident waiting to happen — and we must act now to keep it safe for our volunteers, staff, visitors, and most importantly, the animals in our care.

Your signature will make a huge difference. Every name added shows the strength of our community’s voice and pushes for the change we urgently need.

We are pleased to share that we have already met with our local councillors, who are backing our campaign. With their support — and your signatures — we have a real chance to make this vital change for the better.

Please sign today and help us make our roads safer for paws and people!

Here is our Full Petition to the council and highways
Summary

We, the undersigned, respectfully petition the relevant authorities to reduce the posted speed limit on the road serving North Clwyd Animal Rescue (NCAR), CH8 9BD, and to consider complementary measures (enhanced signage, road markings, and traffic-calming where appropriate). Our aim is to protect volunteer dog walkers, staff, visitors, the animals in our care, nearby farm animals, pedestrians, and all road users. A lower, safer speed will prevent collisions, reduce the severity of any incidents, and improve overall safety and accessibility in the local area.

Why a Lower Speed Limit Is Needed

1. Safety for Volunteer Dog Walkers and Staff
   NCAR relies on a large team of volunteers and staff who walk dogs daily along and across the country road. Dogs can be unpredictable, and handler visibility varies in poor weather or low light. A lower speed limit reduces stopping distance and reaction time, significantly lowering risk.
2. Protection for Animals in Our Care
   Animals are transported by local authorities, exercised by staff and volunteers throughout the day. Reduced speeds around the entrance, exit and along the lane will improve sight lines, allow safer turning movements, and lessen the consequences of any unexpected animal behaviour.
3. Safeguarding Local Farm Animals
   The road is used by neighbouring farms for animal movements and slow-moving agricultural traffic. A calmer speed environment reduces close passes and near-misses, especially around bends, gateways, and concealed field accesses.
4. Pedestrian and Visitor Safety
   NCAR welcomes frequent visitors, volunteers including families and school groups. Pedestrians may need to walk along the country lane whilst visiting. Lower speeds materially improve pedestrian survival rates and comfort.
5. Benefit to All Road Users
   Slower speeds reduce collision severity for drivers and riders, ease turning into and out of NCAR, and create a more predictable traffic flow. This also supports active travel (walking with dogs, cycling) and makes the local road network more inclusive.
6. Proportional, Preventative, and Cost-Effective
   Adjusting a speed limit and improving signs/markings are relatively low-cost interventions with high safety returns. Preventing one serious collision spares families, volunteers, staff, and the wider community immeasurable harm.

Proposed Measures

• Reduce the posted speed limit on the approaches to NCAR and directly outside the entrance to a level appropriate for pedestrian activity and animal movements (e.g., reassessment toward 20–40 mph, as determined by survey).
• Prominent advance warning signage (animal rescue ahead, pedestrians in road, concealed entrance, farm animals).
• High-visibility road markings and gateway features to signal a change in driving environment.
• Traffic-calming where warranted (e.g., vehicle-activated signs, rumble strips, or cushions—subject to site assessment).
• Maintenance of verges, sight lines and pot holes to ensure clear visibility for turning vehicles, passing spaces and crossing pedestrians.

Community Support

NCAR is a well-used community facility serving residents across Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy, Anglesey, Cheshire, Wirral and beyond. This petition reflects broad local support to make the road environment safer for volunteers, staff, visitors, animals, and neighbouring farms.

Our Request

We respectfully request that the Council and relevant road-safety partners:

Provide a timeline for delivery and an opportunity for community input.

Undertake a speed and collision risk assessment at CH8 9BD and immediate approaches.

Implement a reduced speed limit and associated safety measures as recommended by the assessment.