Objecting to a Nat speed limit to 40MPH proposal

[tt601]

I suppose it is 'Speed' related as a reason for choosing this forum.

Local council are proposing changing an A road between two villages, approx 2 mile stretch of road from Nat Limit to 40 MPH.

Seems a pointless exercise as road is clear, well sighted, fairly straight , no side roads, no housing along it, no overhanging trees or vegetation, good sight lines to the changes of limits at either end. No police activity or monitoring along the road apart from when a temp set of lights was at one end (when there was a better chance of getting some revenue). Doesn't have a bad accident history - see comments above re decent bit of road.

Anyone had success in objecting to a proposed change?

local council 'reasons' are
"The proposed speed limits seek to reinforce people’s assessment of what is a safe
speed to travel. They are designed to develop safer environments within the road
system, encourage greater pedestrian movement and more cycling and to reduce
the danger to persons or traffic using the road "

Council rationale mostly directed I think towards the wholesale adoption of 20/change to MPH limits in the village, but surely aren't relevant to a 60>>40 change as well?

Any advice/comments?

[davek_964]

Sadly, where speed limit reduction is concerned I don't think 'proposing' is really what they're doing.

They pretend that it's a proposal - they've probably already had the 40mph signs delivered.

[Kawasicki]

Slower is safer. Just leave earlier FFS!

Edited to add “FFS!”, as it better evokes the anger/fear/anxiety I feel about the dangers of everyday life.

[LunarOne]

All I can say is I feel your pain. I live in Surrey where the majority of the respondents to the consultation were against. and they changed a long stretch of the A30 which was historically NSL to 40mph. They had previously made some sections 50mph but now at 40 it feels ridiculously slow and impossible to make progress.

PH took down one of my posts where I encouraged people to respond to the propsals, but if people don't respond councils will be even more likely to reduce speed limits for their own aims. I don't see why envouraging people to act against political oppression should be against PH rules.

[tt601]

thanks, and to add , on that road with good clear straight sight-lines a reduction to 40 will simply encourage overtaking and speeds in excess o0f 40 making it, perversely, more dangerous.

oh, and said council have 'secured' a 9% council tax increase , thanks, and also just made recycling tips permit/appointments only, max 12 visits PA, so looking forward to more roadside dumping shortly.....

[QuattroDave]

tt601 said:

thanks, and to add , on that road with good clear straight sight-lines a reduction to 40 will simply encourage overtaking and speeds in excess o0f 40 making it, perversely, more dangerous.

oh, and said council have 'secured' a 9% council tax increase , thanks, and also just made recycling tips permit/appointments only, max 12 visits PA, so looking forward to more roadside dumping shortly.....

Don't get me started on booking for tip slots. This whole thing came about as one council got uppity about people from another council run area using their tip instead of one in their council area and therefore they could save money by stopping people from other councils from using their services. Only the forgot that:
1. It goes both ways, people from their council were using other councils waste facilities
2. ANPR and online systems cost money to run.....

Now that most councils adopt this stupid system there's no benefit from it and in actual fact flytipping has increased since these systems have been installed.

[CMTMB]

tt601 said:

Anyone had success in objecting to a proposed change?

'Pissing into the wind' springs to mind.

[tt601]

CMTMB said:

'Pissing into the wind' springs to mind.

do you know, what was the primary thought that came into my mind, but {Sir Humphrey voice}, its the thin end of the wedge , albeit a wedge that sailed many years ago.

[tt601]

QuattroDave said:

Don't get me started on booking for tip slots. This whole thing came about as one council got uppity about people from another council run area using their tip instead of one in their council area and therefore they could save money by stopping people from other councils from using their services. Only the forgot that:
1. It goes both ways, people from their council were using other councils waste facilities
2. ANPR and online systems cost money to run.....

Now that most councils adopt this stupid system there's no benefit from it and in actual fact flytipping has increased since these systems have been installed.

Also the website says that 'no permit' required for private cars, but when you go to book a slot, a permit IS required, and to get one for a no permit/permit required private car they need to see V5, Insurance policy and proof of residence, and then they say , yeah , but only 12 visits a year. Reducing visitors, reducing visits and increasing the barriers to entry, is I think, only go to save the council money/increase flytipping which the council will have to clean up/costing money.

still, with the savings they could always make another prudent investment in local infrastructure....
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn716nmzgkpo

Edited by tt601 on Thursday 5th March 17:16

[outnumbered]

tt601 said:

CMTMB said:

'Pissing into the wind' springs to mind.

do you know, what was the primary thought that came into my mind, but {Sir Humphrey voice}, its the thin end of the wedge , albeit a wedge that sailed many years ago.

The primary motivation is that a 40mph road has lower maintenance requirements, so they can leave deeper potholes for longer before fixing, etc.

[ferret50]

We live in a village that the A140 skirts on it's journey from Norwich north to Aylsham and Cromer.

Hevingham parish council campaigned for a 40mph limit within the parish boundary and eventually won.

This then emboldened Hiagham and Marham's PC's to do the same, these resulted in 50 mph limits, though.

Then to complete the set, St Faith's won a 50 limit, so the 7 miles or so from the city boundary by the airport now carries a mix of 40, 50 and NSL limits....

One bus driver confirmed to myself that it has added 5 minutes to the journey time.

[Andy86GT]

I've heard it said that one reason for reducing speed limit is because the condition of the road surface can also be correspondingly reduced. There's a stretch of A road near us that's 50 and in terrible condition.
While China is busy building amazing high quality roads everywhere, Britain is going backwards. They will only be happy when there's a blanket 20 limit everywhere and we are all riding bicycles.

[Junglebert]

LunarOne said:

All I can say is I feel your pain. I live in Surrey where the majority of the respondents to the consultation were against. and they changed a long stretch of the A30 which was historically NSL to 40mph. They had previously made some sections 50mph but now at 40 it feels ridiculously slow and impossible to make progress.

Do you make that much more progress at 50 or 60MPH than at 40? Surely if you’re doing 1+ MPH you’re progressing?

[CoolHands]

Pointless to even try and object. The whole country is being reduced week by week.

[Puzzles]

Happening all round me too, now much faster to go the longer back away to the next village.

Unfortunately everyone else has realised this too so I wonder how long before that limit is reduced.

[Mr Tidy]

There was a consultation in Surrey recently to change a stretch of dual carriageway from 60mph to a 40mph average limit wth cameras.

More than two thirds of respondents wanted the existing limit to remain, but it's being changed to a 40 average anyway.

So as someone already said you're likely to be pissing in the wind regardless.

[oyster]

Mr Tidy said:

There was a consultation in Surrey recently to change a stretch of dual carriageway from 60mph to a 40mph average limit wth cameras.

More than two thirds of respondents wanted the existing limit to remain, but it's being changed to a 40 average anyway.

So as someone already said you're likely to be pissing in the wind regardless.

Consultations are not referendums.

[CoolHands]

They’re not consultations either. It’s simply a fake act.

[Early-bird]

This nonsense needs to stop. Lefties who fail in life seem to pop up in the public sector all too often with the power to impose these ridiculous limits on the rest of us for spurious reasons. Quite frankly it has gone too far but how long will it take for the pendulum to swing back and to undo all the ludricrous crap.

Nobody where I am keeps to stupid unworkable limits and the po po have no resources to enforce such idiocy anyway.

These fktards need purging frankly.

[Debaser]

Mr Tidy said:

There was a consultation in Surrey recently to change a stretch of dual carriageway from 60mph to a 40mph average limit wth cameras.

More than two thirds of respondents wanted the existing limit to remain, but it's being changed to a 40 average anyway.

So as someone already said you're likely to be pissing in the wind regardless.

Sounds like when they ruined the Mad Mile with an absurdly low speed limit and cameras.