Suffolk A140 speed limit.
Discussion
06 September 2005 18:36
The public is being asked for its views on whether an experimental 50mph speed limit on the Suffolk Stretch of the A140 should become permanent.
The controversial lower limit is coming up for review and the county council, which is responsible for the road through Suffolk, is holding a public consultation for businesses and people who live along and use the route
The temporary limit is due to end in December, having been extended for a further six months in June.
It was originally introduced in June 2004 together with new 30mph and 40mph zones, the aim being to reduce accidents and casualties and improve the quality of life for those living along the route.
An initial assessment from July to December 2004 showed a slight drop in accidents and a significant reduction in speeds and it was decided to extend the trial to collect more data.
However, objectors including local residents, parish councils and road users claim the slower speeds encourage traffic queues, causing driver frustration and increasing the likelihood of tail-end shunts.
Among the fiercest critics has been Norfolk County Council's transport spokesman Adrian Gunson.
His Suffolk counterpart, Guy McGregor, said today: “Almost everyone who uses this road has a view on the experimental speed limit. I hope people who take the time to let us know what they think. Public consultation is an important part of the review and those who respond will have a significant impact on the decision that we make.”
Data shows that most accidents on the road are rear-end shunts caused by drivers travelling too close or too fast.
Slowing the traffic down has shown a slight reduction in the number of causalities.
As well as the 50mph experiment, 30mph permanent speed limits with 40mph buffer zones were put in place through the Stonhams and Brockford Street, and a 40mph permanent speed limit through Brome, near Eye.
The authority is also looking at other safety measures, including putting a filter lane to reduce congestion at a junction in Stoke Ash.
Views on the experiment and making the speed limit permanent can be sent to the Road Safety Group, Endeavour House, Russell Road, Ipswich, IP1 2BX or e-mailed to road.safety@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk
Views can also be recorded at www.suffolkroadsafe.net/ by clicking on A140 Survey.
The closing date for responses is September 19.
>> Edited by C C on Wednesday 7th September 06:16
The public is being asked for its views on whether an experimental 50mph speed limit on the Suffolk Stretch of the A140 should become permanent.
The controversial lower limit is coming up for review and the county council, which is responsible for the road through Suffolk, is holding a public consultation for businesses and people who live along and use the route
The temporary limit is due to end in December, having been extended for a further six months in June.
It was originally introduced in June 2004 together with new 30mph and 40mph zones, the aim being to reduce accidents and casualties and improve the quality of life for those living along the route.
An initial assessment from July to December 2004 showed a slight drop in accidents and a significant reduction in speeds and it was decided to extend the trial to collect more data.
However, objectors including local residents, parish councils and road users claim the slower speeds encourage traffic queues, causing driver frustration and increasing the likelihood of tail-end shunts.
Among the fiercest critics has been Norfolk County Council's transport spokesman Adrian Gunson.
His Suffolk counterpart, Guy McGregor, said today: “Almost everyone who uses this road has a view on the experimental speed limit. I hope people who take the time to let us know what they think. Public consultation is an important part of the review and those who respond will have a significant impact on the decision that we make.”
Data shows that most accidents on the road are rear-end shunts caused by drivers travelling too close or too fast.
Slowing the traffic down has shown a slight reduction in the number of causalities.
As well as the 50mph experiment, 30mph permanent speed limits with 40mph buffer zones were put in place through the Stonhams and Brockford Street, and a 40mph permanent speed limit through Brome, near Eye.
The authority is also looking at other safety measures, including putting a filter lane to reduce congestion at a junction in Stoke Ash.
Views on the experiment and making the speed limit permanent can be sent to the Road Safety Group, Endeavour House, Russell Road, Ipswich, IP1 2BX or e-mailed to road.safety@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk
Views can also be recorded at www.suffolkroadsafe.net/ by clicking on A140 Survey.
The closing date for responses is September 19.
>> Edited by C C on Wednesday 7th September 06:16
being of the cynical minded type the only reason they have extended the 'experiment' is because the accident rate has gone up quite radically (or it seems so a a regular user), compare it to the norfolk A140 and i suspect it is a lot worse.
speed reduction was the 5th item on the origional survey as i recall but the others were less in keeping with Suffolk's 'we hate cars' mentality.
because of the restrictions, i find the road is a lot more dangerous with suicidal overtaking manoevers being the norm.
if no-one speaks out they will think all is well.
speed reduction was the 5th item on the origional survey as i recall but the others were less in keeping with Suffolk's 'we hate cars' mentality.
because of the restrictions, i find the road is a lot more dangerous with suicidal overtaking manoevers being the norm.
if no-one speaks out they will think all is well.
Suffolk will take no notice, whatever, but I suppose it's worth trying. Even Norfolk County Council have said repeatedly they think it is a bad idea.
The problem with slowing the traffic down is that you increase the traffic density.
The A140 Diss to Needham Market section (the road in question) is almost entirely S2 ; it's windy, villages aren't bypassed, junctions are tight.
The problem with the slower speed is it makes it almost impossible to turn across the carriageway.
Friend of mine crosses it at Eye regularly - at about 7AM. Even then, the only way to turn right is to dash across into the pub carpark on the other side - there is virtually no gap in the solid traffic.
The other thing is redirection of traffic ; the A140 is such a godawful road that traffic travelling Norwich/Ipswich may redirect through (say) Thetford. It looks much further, but there's not much in it in terms of "drive quality" ; this witless limit makes this worse.
The problem with slowing the traffic down is that you increase the traffic density.
The A140 Diss to Needham Market section (the road in question) is almost entirely S2 ; it's windy, villages aren't bypassed, junctions are tight.
The problem with the slower speed is it makes it almost impossible to turn across the carriageway.
Friend of mine crosses it at Eye regularly - at about 7AM. Even then, the only way to turn right is to dash across into the pub carpark on the other side - there is virtually no gap in the solid traffic.
The other thing is redirection of traffic ; the A140 is such a godawful road that traffic travelling Norwich/Ipswich may redirect through (say) Thetford. It looks much further, but there's not much in it in terms of "drive quality" ; this witless limit makes this worse.
bumpkin said:
being of the cynical minded type the only reason they have extended the 'experiment' is because the accident rate has gone up quite radically (or it seems so a a regular user), compare it to the norfolk A140 and i suspect it is a lot worse.
There has been 2 deaths on the A140 Norfolk section in the last 10 days if you believe the local news, so I doubt Suffolk can beat that.
What I said....
What do you think about the 50mph speed limit along the A140 in Suffolk?
I believe that the limit should be raised to 60 again. In my experience the road is not so dangerous that a 50 limit is justified. With 30 limits in residential areas, the rural parts of the road should revert to 60. Where necessary, improve the road signs to highlight stretches of road that you consider have a higher risk to alert drivers to the need for extra caution, and then leave drivers to make the appropriate decision on speed. This has an extra benefit in that you will be encouraging drivers to think for themselves.
In addition, I don't believe that 40mph "buffer zones" are a good thing. There is no problem with slowing from 60 to 30 for residential areas. Adding a 40 limit can be confusing. Limits should be set for the conditions of each stretch of road, rather than for what's coming up or just gone.
Let's get back to the simplicity of 60 and 30, so drivers know where they are and understand the reasons for the limits.
regards
Peter Ward
What do you think about the 50mph speed limit along the A140 in Suffolk?
I believe that the limit should be raised to 60 again. In my experience the road is not so dangerous that a 50 limit is justified. With 30 limits in residential areas, the rural parts of the road should revert to 60. Where necessary, improve the road signs to highlight stretches of road that you consider have a higher risk to alert drivers to the need for extra caution, and then leave drivers to make the appropriate decision on speed. This has an extra benefit in that you will be encouraging drivers to think for themselves.
In addition, I don't believe that 40mph "buffer zones" are a good thing. There is no problem with slowing from 60 to 30 for residential areas. Adding a 40 limit can be confusing. Limits should be set for the conditions of each stretch of road, rather than for what's coming up or just gone.
Let's get back to the simplicity of 60 and 30, so drivers know where they are and understand the reasons for the limits.
regards
Peter Ward
This road is a horror to drive. Wide open stretches of road - including a section of dual - are limited to a miserly 50mph. You're constantly looking out for cash wagons, while also monitoring the continual changes from 50 to 40 to 30 to 40 to 50. Apart from the village sections, a blanket 60 is more than safe.
I sent this
It should be raised to a National Limit.
That way road users can actually travel at 56mph and have increased fuel economy, which is better for the environment.
Furthermore, you are sadly deluded if you believe that lowering the speed on this stretch increases road safety, all it does is infuriate drivers into taken more risky overtaking choices than they would otherwise have done. I have travelled on and been overtaken on this road many times.
Quite honestly if you wish to ensure that Suffolk does not lose revenue you need to ensure that business can operate, and to do so one must ensure that supplies can reach destinations within a timely manner, which your habit of routinely reducing speed limits destroys. This pushes up prices at the consumer level, those whom you act for.
It should be raised to a National Limit.
That way road users can actually travel at 56mph and have increased fuel economy, which is better for the environment.
Furthermore, you are sadly deluded if you believe that lowering the speed on this stretch increases road safety, all it does is infuriate drivers into taken more risky overtaking choices than they would otherwise have done. I have travelled on and been overtaken on this road many times.
Quite honestly if you wish to ensure that Suffolk does not lose revenue you need to ensure that business can operate, and to do so one must ensure that supplies can reach destinations within a timely manner, which your habit of routinely reducing speed limits destroys. This pushes up prices at the consumer level, those whom you act for.
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