lower speed limit = less maintenance?
Discussion
Does the application of a lower speed limit to a section of road mean that the standard of maintenance can be reduced?
Certainly seems that many roads that have had a lower limit imposed are then left to degenerate - I wondered if there is actually a standard of maintenance related to the speed limit - anyone know?
thanks,
Tony
Certainly seems that many roads that have had a lower limit imposed are then left to degenerate - I wondered if there is actually a standard of maintenance related to the speed limit - anyone know?
thanks,
Tony
The weather of the past two winters especially has had a major impact, gets into cracks, then it melts and surface breaks etc etc as im sure you know. HGV's are a big cause of road problems which makes you wonder why roads like the A12 or A14 for example which carry so many of them are often left neglected. Sections of the A12 are like a rucked up carpet.
Just generally some of the former NSL roads seem to be getting narrower and unkempt. Duals that have been lowered to 50 getting resurfaced less etc.
I know the weather has been bad for roads over the last couple of years, but lower limit roads generally seem to be lower priority - was wondering if this is also why councils are looking to lower limits everywhere - to save cash.
I know the weather has been bad for roads over the last couple of years, but lower limit roads generally seem to be lower priority - was wondering if this is also why councils are looking to lower limits everywhere - to save cash.
UK952 said:
Just generally some of the former NSL roads seem to be getting narrower and unkempt. Duals that have been lowered to 50 getting resurfaced less etc.
I know the weather has been bad for roads over the last couple of years, but lower limit roads generally seem to be lower priority - was wondering if this is also why councils are looking to lower limits everywhere - to save cash.
I dont think the two are particularly connected. Local Government now has some (or will soon be given) rights to impose their own speed limits on certain types of roads and have authority to stick a 20mph one wherever they wish if they can afford £5 for some paint. Local councils are prone to caving to the loud requests of a very small minority so expect to see very haphazard speed limits with no organisation, consultation, planning or requirement for expert advice prior to implimentation from now on. Theres some stretches of road now where you can be toodling along at 60 perfectly fine on a road which has been NSL for 4 million years then out of nowhere you cross into a different county, still on the same road and suddenly its 50mph. I know the weather has been bad for roads over the last couple of years, but lower limit roads generally seem to be lower priority - was wondering if this is also why councils are looking to lower limits everywhere - to save cash.
The cutbacks in terms of road maintenance is due to budget cuts obviously, some areas hit worse than others and of course anything to make the road users life easier is the first thing to go, yet the motorist is the first place these local councils will go to as a means to make up for lost revenue, probably with £50 for an hours parking or something.
tank slapper said:
It's been like that for at least 20 years, so don't expect it to change any time soon.
Ive been driving for just over 9 years and i travel the A12 regularly and you're right its always been that way. In fairness it doesnt seem to have gotten much worse. Different cars can help mind, its not too bad in the Mondeo but when i was a passenger in an 09 plate Astra the ride was so firm that the 'rucks' every 20 yards were like being kicked up the arse with a Doc Martin.It used to be impossible to drive on the inside lane northwards from Chelmsford as the lorries had pounded it to such an extent it resembled that wobbly road they used on Top Gear. I think the worst bit there has actually been resurfaced within the last few years, but there's still plenty of knackered old concrete.
Oh theres stretches of the A14 ive found where the inside lane is just pointless its better to stay on the outside for the entire journey and overtake everything because if you dip inside then its like driving off a cliff.
The fact it is concrete is a problem, we dont surface roads with concrete anymore. We use that thoroughly modern tarmac. Unfortunately not all of the country is that modern.
I was on the A14 a few weeks ago as well and theres this stretch of REALLY smooth quiet road. I mean really smooth, this funny material thats apparently made to decrease road noise for nearby villagers or something but the car had virtually no grip on it that stretch must be a horrific menace in pouring rain! Something like a little eco car like a Prius with its eco-tyres would be in a tree before long.
The fact it is concrete is a problem, we dont surface roads with concrete anymore. We use that thoroughly modern tarmac. Unfortunately not all of the country is that modern.
I was on the A14 a few weeks ago as well and theres this stretch of REALLY smooth quiet road. I mean really smooth, this funny material thats apparently made to decrease road noise for nearby villagers or something but the car had virtually no grip on it that stretch must be a horrific menace in pouring rain! Something like a little eco car like a Prius with its eco-tyres would be in a tree before long.
martin84 said:
Oh theres stretches of the A14 ive found where the inside lane is just pointless its better to stay on the outside for the entire journey and overtake everything because if you dip inside then its like driving off a cliff.
The fact it is concrete is a problem, we dont surface roads with concrete anymore. We use that thoroughly modern tarmac. Unfortunately not all of the country is that modern.
I was on the A14 a few weeks ago as well and theres this stretch of REALLY smooth quiet road. I mean really smooth, this funny material thats apparently made to decrease road noise for nearby villagers or something but the car had virtually no grip on it that stretch must be a horrific menace in pouring rain! Something like a little eco car like a Prius with its eco-tyres would be in a tree before long.
Laughable!! I drive the full length of the A14 at least once a week and while I concede that there are sections with a pretty shocking surface, your descriptions are wildly exagerated - REALLY smooth section with "virtually no grip". hmmmmm I see cars spinning there all the time The fact it is concrete is a problem, we dont surface roads with concrete anymore. We use that thoroughly modern tarmac. Unfortunately not all of the country is that modern.
I was on the A14 a few weeks ago as well and theres this stretch of REALLY smooth quiet road. I mean really smooth, this funny material thats apparently made to decrease road noise for nearby villagers or something but the car had virtually no grip on it that stretch must be a horrific menace in pouring rain! Something like a little eco car like a Prius with its eco-tyres would be in a tree before long.
bmw535i said:
Laughable!! I drive the full length of the A14 at least once a week and while I concede that there are sections with a pretty shocking surface, your descriptions are wildly exagerated - REALLY smooth section with "virtually no grip". hmmmmm I see cars spinning there all the time
Fine whatever. Believe what you like. Had enough of pedantic PH 
s who think they own the fking world who stand on you if you dare to describe something in anything other than a boring johnny-no-mates-in-shed manner. Just thought i'd come back to say that and go elsewhere now. This really is a shocking website. Oh well never mind, cant please everyone i suppose. Good luck
bmw535i said:
Laughable!! I drive the full length of the A14 at least once a week and while I concede that there are sections with a pretty shocking surface, your descriptions are wildly exagerated - REALLY smooth section with "virtually no grip". hmmmmm I see cars spinning there all the time
It's always important to remember the following relationship
martin84 said:
Fine whatever. Believe what you like. Had enough of pedantic PH s who think they own the fking world who stand on you if you dare to describe something in anything other than a boring johnny-no-mates-in-shed manner. Just thought i'd come back to say that and go elsewhere now. This really is a shocking website.
Oh well never mind, cant please everyone i suppose. Good luck
Somebody's tired! s who think they own the fking world who stand on you if you dare to describe something in anything other than a boring johnny-no-mates-in-shed manner. Just thought i'd come back to say that and go elsewhere now. This really is a shocking website. Oh well never mind, cant please everyone i suppose. Good luck
martin84 said:
Oh theres stretches of the A14 ive found where the inside lane is just pointless its better to stay on the outside for the entire journey and overtake everything because if you dip inside then its like driving off a cliff.
The fact it is concrete is a problem, we dont surface roads with concrete anymore. We use that thoroughly modern tarmac. Unfortunately not all of the country is that modern.
I was on the A14 a few weeks ago as well and theres this stretch of REALLY smooth quiet road. I mean really smooth, this funny material thats apparently made to decrease road noise for nearby villagers or something but the car had virtually no grip on it that stretch must be a horrific menace in pouring rain! Something like a little eco car like a Prius with its eco-tyres would be in a tree before long.
What section? (thought that'd be the obvious question)The fact it is concrete is a problem, we dont surface roads with concrete anymore. We use that thoroughly modern tarmac. Unfortunately not all of the country is that modern.
I was on the A14 a few weeks ago as well and theres this stretch of REALLY smooth quiet road. I mean really smooth, this funny material thats apparently made to decrease road noise for nearby villagers or something but the car had virtually no grip on it that stretch must be a horrific menace in pouring rain! Something like a little eco car like a Prius with its eco-tyres would be in a tree before long.
Rawwr said:
What section? (thought that'd be the obvious question)
There is a nice smooth new section at Stowmarket which then goes straight onto concrete (westbound) Neither of these are anywhere near as bad as some people are making out! It is fair to say the concrete section is retty noisy, but the smooth, brand new section is not littered with Prius's that have lost grip. There are places where lane one has ruts from the high volume of LGV's that use the road, but no worse than a lot of other motorways/dual carriageways. martin84 said:
bmw535i said:
Laughable!! I drive the full length of the A14 at least once a week and while I concede that there are sections with a pretty shocking surface, your descriptions are wildly exagerated - REALLY smooth section with "virtually no grip". hmmmmm I see cars spinning there all the time
Fine whatever. Believe what you like. Had enough of pedantic PH s who think they own the fking world who stand on you if you dare to describe something in anything other than a boring johnny-no-mates-in-shed manner. Just thought i'd come back to say that and go elsewhere now. This really is a shocking website. Oh well never mind, cant please everyone i suppose. Good luck
UK952 said:
Does the application of a lower speed limit to a section of road mean that the standard of maintenance can be reduced?
Certainly seems that many roads that have had a lower limit imposed are then left to degenerate - I wondered if there is actually a standard of maintenance related to the speed limit - anyone know?
thanks,
Tony
No I think they are just spending a lot less on road repairs than they should. Certainly seems that many roads that have had a lower limit imposed are then left to degenerate - I wondered if there is actually a standard of maintenance related to the speed limit - anyone know?
thanks,
Tony
It's not like motorists pay enough tax.
bmw535i said:
There is a nice smooth new section at Stowmarket which then goes straight onto concrete (westbound) Neither of these are anywhere near as bad as some people are making out! It is fair to say the concrete section is retty noisy, but the smooth, brand new section is not littered with Prius's that have lost grip. There are places where lane one has ruts from the high volume of LGV's that use the road, but no worse than a lot of other motorways/dual carriageways.
Is that the Haughley to new street improvement. If so that's one of my projectsstevieb said:
Is that the Haughley to new street improvement. If so that's one of my projects
Yea that's the one I'm talking about - not sure if that's the "smooth" section the other bufoon was rambling about. Very nice little stretch of road and a lot better than the old route, shame the whole A14 isn't like it. Maybe you could tell me why there is a 50mph limit and roadworks everywhere at the east end of "your" section? Are they making similar improvements?bmw535i said:
stevieb said:
Is that the Haughley to new street improvement. If so that's one of my projects
Yea that's the one I'm talking about - not sure if that's the "smooth" section the other bufoon was rambling about. Very nice little stretch of road and a lot better than the old route, shame the whole A14 isn't like it. Maybe you could tell me why there is a 50mph limit and roadworks everywhere at the east end of "your" section? Are they making similar improvements?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff