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ITEM EN9
COPY

EXECUTIVE – 7 JANUARY 2003

SPEED MANAGEMENT POLICY: ROADS HIERARCHY PROPOSED PILOT PROGRAMME

Report by Director of Environmental Services

Introduction

  1. The Executive at its meeting on 3 April 2002 (EX17) approved the development of a hierarchy of roads within a developing Speed Management Strategy for future consideration by both the Executive and the Environment Scrutiny Committee. It also approved the development of specific speed limit proposals. This report outlines progress to date, seeks approval for specific 50 mph speed limits and proposes a pilot programme of two 20 mph zones with supporting measures for the 2003/04 Casualty Reduction Scheme Programme.

    2. Development of Road Hierarchy

  2. A road hierarchy is an essential element of the Speed Management Strategy to give a consistent framework to consider all speed limit requests across the county. A definitive hierarchy cannot be produced until the issues outlined in the individual speed limit headings below have been fully assessed.

  3. The rural road hierarchy development is being undertaken by a team of Council officers representing a wide range of functions and police officers from the TVPA Traffic Department. This work has taken account of the Transport Networks Review (TNR) currently being undertaken by Halcrow consultants; in practice it does not appear that there is any serious risk of abortive work in progressing the speed management policy prior to the reporting of the TNR expected in 2004.

    4. 50 Mph Limits

  4. This element of the speed limit hierarchy is at the furthest stage of development. Annex 1 lists the routes identified – subject to consultation - for the introduction of 50mph speed limits (in place of the current national speed limit) in view of their alignment and accident rates. These proposals reflect the very positive safety benefits of recent 50mph speed limits that suggest that substantial savings in casualties can be achieved through a combination of lower speed limits and supporting engineering and enforcement measures.

    5. 40 Mph Limits

  5. Any significant change in the widespread use of 40 mph speed limits on the rural network must await changes in primary legislation by the Government removing the need to make orders and erect signing. The Department for Transport is reviewing this issue, but it is unlikely that any necessary legislation will be introduced in the short to medium term.

    6. 30 Mph Limits

  6. Further development of the 30 mph element of the hierarchy awaits the outcome of Community Safety Scrutiny Committee’s review of the South Oxfordshire phase of the 30 mph project.

  7. As part of the South Oxfordshire phase of the village speed limit project, a number of new 30 mph speed limits extended over lengths of road with very limited or no frontage development. Although these limits have generated some complaint, each one has reflected the wishes of the local council. Paradoxically, although speed reductions have generally been modest, accident frequencies have reduced markedly at most of the sites with a significant accident history. Furthermore, there is no evidence (in terms of the accident record) that such limits have adversely affected road safety in better-defined villages through drivers losing respect for previously existing 30-mph restrictions.

  8. Although on safety grounds there would appear to be limited justification for reviewing these limits, it may be appropriate, on the grounds of consistency with other areas, to investigate possible amendments subject to consultation once a full hierarchy has been agreed.

    9. 20 Mph Limits

  9. A desire for much wider use of 20mph speed limits in residential areas, outside schools and also in busy shopping streets with high pedestrian movements has been identified. At present, national and local policy for 20mph limits, given the difficulties of enforcement, requires supporting engineering measures, including traffic calming. In the short to medium term this is likely to continue to be the case, although there are circumstances – such as roads with access restrictions – where the need for traffic calming or other measures may be much reduced.

  10. Experience to date of 20mph limits in the County has been limited, and while they have provided valuable experience, it is recommended that further pilot schemes be used to evaluate effectiveness and develop approaches that are both affordable and provide acceptable levels of access for emergency services and bus operators.

  11. The following areas have been identified as possible pilot areas for implementing 20mph speed limits subject to consultations:

    1. Thame – Thame Town Council has expressed a strong interest in the introduction of an extensive 20mph speed limit in the town, (this would also help support the well developed Better Ways to School programme and proposed cycle network). In the first phase the limit is likely to include the town centre and the residential roads, but to exclude the main roads leading into the town from the bypass and perimeter roads. It is unlikely that additional extensive engineering measures would be needed to support the limit.

    2. Oxford – following the introduction of the central area measures in June 1999, traffic flows have decreased substantially. To build upon the environmental benefits, and to help address the still significant numbers of traffic accidents in High Street, St Aldates and George St in particular it is recommended that a 20mph zone is promoted in the central area (to include High Street, St Aldates, New Road, Worcester Street, George Street, Cornmarket Street, Queen Street, Broad Street and the minor roads within this area). Access and environmental considerations would require that any supporting measures be kept to an absolute minimum.

    Development of a Speed Management Strategy

  12. It is proposed to develop a speed management strategy in parallel with the developing road hierarchy. The strategy will cover all aspects of our work related to speed management including SpeedWatch, speed indicator devices (SIDs), camera enforcement, education, training, and publicity. The road hierarchy will form the framework within which all new and amended limits will be introduced. I propose to submit a draft speed management strategy to the Environment Scrutiny Committee for its views prior to presenting the draft strategy to the Executive for approval to consult with interested parties.

    13. Environmental implications

  13. The proposed works would require the provision of additional signs, and supporting measures.

    14. Financial and Staff implications

  14. The measures proposed above will be carried out jointly by Babtie and officers of the County Council and can be funded from the proposed 2003/04 Casualty Reduction scheme programme.

    15. RECOMMENDATIONS

  15. The Executive is RECOMMENDED to approve:

          1. promotion of 50mph speed limit orders with appropriate engineering measures on the lengths of road listed in Annex 1 to the report for inclusion in the 2003/04 Casualty Reduction Programme.

          2. promotion of two pilot 20mph speed limit zones in the centres of Oxford and Thame with appropriate supporting engineering measures.

          3. development of a draft speed management strategy in consultation with the Environment Scrutiny Committee prior to seeking the approval of the Executive for a draft strategy for wider consultation.

DAVID YOUNG
Director of Environmental Services

Background papers: Nil

Contact Officer: Geoff Barrell Tel: (01865) 810450

January 2002

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