Dorney Common Speed Survey

Following Eton Wick residents’ feedback regarding the speed of vehicles travelling across Dorney Common and, sadly, reports of cows being hit, many residents have suggested a reduction in the speed limit on the Common from 60mph to 40mph.

Cllr Mark Wilson recently attended a meeting of Dorney Parish Council, where there was a discussion about the next steps in their campaign to reduce the speed limit on the Common. The Parish Council shared a file of correspondence and data regarding animal casualties, including:

• 31 cows and calves killed over the last 15 years
• 150-200 cows typically graze on the common, which is crossed by an unfenced road with a 60mph speed limit
• Five cattle were killed in 2024, and a further one in the first six weeks of grazing in 2025

Dorney Parish Council have written to Buckinghamshire County Council to request a lowering of the speed limit. This request was met with some acknowledgement of the issue, but a request to the Parish to carry out a speed assessment, at a cost of £10,000  to further assess the proposal. Dorney Parish Council are challenging the need for costly assessment with evidence sent to Bucks CC.

We are considering writing to Buckinghamshire County Council, and the Bucks CC councillors for Dorney, to add our voice on behalf of Eton Wick residents to request a lowering of the speed limit due to the presence of cattle, the nature of the road and its immediate environment.

In order to assess the level of support for this request, we would like to hear more residents’ views on the proposal to request a lowering of the speed limit on Dorney Common from 60mph to 40mph.