Objecting to Oxon lower limits
Discussion
Oxfordshire County Council plan to lower a range of speed limits in the coming year – the first of these is the A415 between Witney and Abingdon. This road has a poor accident record, but out of 70 accidents, only 13 have “excessive speed” as a contributory factor – and “excessive speed” includes speeds below the limit, but too fast for the conditions.
If you're likely to be affected, please e-mail me at:
mark(AT)freemanchristie.co.uk
head your mail "Oxon 50" and I'll send you a short briefing note.
The deadline is Friday 21 January, so there’s not long.
Bluntly, this is a numbers game, and the more people who object, the more likely we are to get the limit overturned.
Thanks
MMC
If you're likely to be affected, please e-mail me at:
mark(AT)freemanchristie.co.uk
head your mail "Oxon 50" and I'll send you a short briefing note.
The deadline is Friday 21 January, so there’s not long.
Bluntly, this is a numbers game, and the more people who object, the more likely we are to get the limit overturned.
Thanks
MMC
There seems little doubt that OCC plan to go ahead no matter what - despite the fact that the Executive member for Transport (who calls the shots here) drives a Jag. Perhaps he has a radar detector too...
I can't make the meeting next week as I have a pitch that day, but I have some other ideas up my sleeve.
It appears to me that County has had a bloody nose over their attempts to reduce the county limit (with 14 roads scheduled for 50s last year) and now plans to introduce the whole thing by stealth.
On the A415 the two main blackspots have both been removed by engineering methods, but you know and I know exactly which of the 3Es will get the credit for it.
Anyone up for a "Red Flag Drive" in Oxon soon?
I can't make the meeting next week as I have a pitch that day, but I have some other ideas up my sleeve.
It appears to me that County has had a bloody nose over their attempts to reduce the county limit (with 14 roads scheduled for 50s last year) and now plans to introduce the whole thing by stealth.
On the A415 the two main blackspots have both been removed by engineering methods, but you know and I know exactly which of the 3Es will get the credit for it.
Anyone up for a "Red Flag Drive" in Oxon soon?
I'm already working with the council on a range of committees - even though I hate committees with a vengeance and a passion, but I'm hopelessly, hopelessly outnumbered and drivers/riders have precisely NO support.
Please, anyone who wants to - get involved.
Of course, no-one will. Hey ho.
Please, anyone who wants to - get involved.
Of course, no-one will. Hey ho.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/4173865.stm
Residents' row over 50mph limits
Campaigning resident say plans to introduce new 50mph limits on five of Oxfordshire's busiest roads to cut the number of crashes are inappropriate.
Parts of the A44, A361, A415 and A4421 have been singled out by the county council, which believes the proposals will reduce accidents in rural areas.
But residents claim the move will lead to a rise in the number of crashes. Campaigner Mark McArthur-Christie fears those who adhere to the new limits will be tailgated by frustrated drivers.
The named routes
A44 Chipping Norton to County Boundary
A361 Williamscot Hill to County Boundary
A415 Kingston Bagpuize to Ducklington
A4421 Bicester to Finmere
B4044 Botley to Eynsham
Mr McArthur-Christie added: "It is true that these roads have a history of accidents, but speeding is not the problem.
"The council is pursuing a hard-line stance of blanket speed limits, no matter what objections are put in their way.
"This results in limits which are clearly inappropriate."
David Palmer, a local company director, said: "Official figures show time and time again that knee-jerk speed limits of this sort don't, and won't, cure the problem."
A county council spokesman said: "They are placed as casualty reduction measures.
"Monitoring of existing sites gives us confidence that the proposals will reduce accidents - especially when supported by additional visual calming measures such as more frequent 50mph reminder signs, coloured surfacing and road markings.
"All the limits currently proposed will be supported by extra calming measures."
Residents' row over 50mph limits
Campaigning resident say plans to introduce new 50mph limits on five of Oxfordshire's busiest roads to cut the number of crashes are inappropriate.
Parts of the A44, A361, A415 and A4421 have been singled out by the county council, which believes the proposals will reduce accidents in rural areas.
But residents claim the move will lead to a rise in the number of crashes. Campaigner Mark McArthur-Christie fears those who adhere to the new limits will be tailgated by frustrated drivers.
The named routes
A44 Chipping Norton to County Boundary
A361 Williamscot Hill to County Boundary
A415 Kingston Bagpuize to Ducklington
A4421 Bicester to Finmere
B4044 Botley to Eynsham
Mr McArthur-Christie added: "It is true that these roads have a history of accidents, but speeding is not the problem.
"The council is pursuing a hard-line stance of blanket speed limits, no matter what objections are put in their way.
"This results in limits which are clearly inappropriate."
David Palmer, a local company director, said: "Official figures show time and time again that knee-jerk speed limits of this sort don't, and won't, cure the problem."
A county council spokesman said: "They are placed as casualty reduction measures.
"Monitoring of existing sites gives us confidence that the proposals will reduce accidents - especially when supported by additional visual calming measures such as more frequent 50mph reminder signs, coloured surfacing and road markings.
"All the limits currently proposed will be supported by extra calming measures."
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