Return to Agenda

Return to EX12

ITEM EX12 - ANNEX 1

EXECUTIVE – 20 JULY 2004

50 MPH SPEED LIMIT CRITERIA

Survey and Route Extent

 

  • Accident and speed data will be collected for 8 sites from which the most appropriate routes will be chosen based on their accident record and site visits to determine the visual appearance to drivers.
  • Officers will identify potential routes based on accident records and speed measurements.
  • Officers will survey the routes to identify possible start and end points and also location, extent and cost of possible supportive calming measures.
  • The basic extent of draft proposals will be dictated by where accident concentration is greatest with a balance sought between encompassing the worst sites while not making the limit unduly long and diminishing respect for it by drivers.
  • Although 50 mph speed limits are most effective when seen as a route treatment rather than as a means of dealing with isolated accident clusters there is no stipulated minimum or maximum length. The start of each limit should be close to a strong accident cluster point in order that the terminal signs and entry feature has a strong calming influence at a point it is most effective.
  • The final extent of proposals will be decided having considered all practical issues evident on site.

Note: Remedial work will have been targeted at accident sites along the routes and 50 mph limit proposals are generally in response to diverse accidents which rarely fall into a common pattern conducive to closely targeted remedial measures but whose occurrence and severity can be reduced by slowing speeds.

Return to TOP