when is a roadwork limit not a limit?
Discussion
On a 7 mile stretch of dual carriage way on my way home, there converting it due to accidents, ie narrowing lanes and putting chevrons near junctions, then opening back out again.
They have already lowered almost the entire stretch to 50mph.
But during the work, large sections are coned and many temp 40mph signs.
But at 8am and 6pm when I use it, the roadworkers are tucked up in bed, the trucks parked up in a near layby, and the cones all chucked onto the grass central res.
So.. my question is, are the 40mph signs still legally relevant?
everyone trundles along an empty unconed dual track at 40, yet I assume that a left behind temp sign are false signage, as the reason they are there has been removed?
the same question could apply, if kids or lazy workers, left an area, and a temp sign was left around, surely you dont have to abide by it anymore?
eg if kids dropped a 40mph sign on a motorway, do we have to slow down, as there are no new repeaters to NSL until you LEAVE the M-way?
your thoughts please?
They have already lowered almost the entire stretch to 50mph.
But during the work, large sections are coned and many temp 40mph signs.
But at 8am and 6pm when I use it, the roadworkers are tucked up in bed, the trucks parked up in a near layby, and the cones all chucked onto the grass central res.
So.. my question is, are the 40mph signs still legally relevant?
everyone trundles along an empty unconed dual track at 40, yet I assume that a left behind temp sign are false signage, as the reason they are there has been removed?
the same question could apply, if kids or lazy workers, left an area, and a temp sign was left around, surely you dont have to abide by it anymore?
eg if kids dropped a 40mph sign on a motorway, do we have to slow down, as there are no new repeaters to NSL until you LEAVE the M-way?
your thoughts please?
Now I'm not an expert so don't quote me but doesn't the council or whoever have to put a notice in the local rag with the intention of informing everyone of the forthcoming temporary speed restriction and give the dates of said restriction? I would have thought that once this had been done the limit would be valid all day every day for the specified time.Though I'm probably wrong,the safest thing to do is assume that if the sign is there then it is valid and "drive accordingly".
Changed speed limits like this have to be pre-advertised. I've run roadworks in the past with 30 signs (I wanted 40 or 50, never mind) which weren't enforceable as we hadn't applied to the council in advance (change of plans, not enough time). While the police were happy for us to use the mandatory signs (black number on white circle with red border), they couldn't book anyone for anything under 70. Strictly speaking we should have used advisory signs (black number on yellow square, black border).
However ... I wouldn't recommend assuming that this is the case anywhere else!
However ... I wouldn't recommend assuming that this is the case anywhere else!
Well there's been a temporary 40mph limit on a tiny section of the A14 for weeks now since a lorry went through a barrier on a bridge between Thrapston and Kettering. Looks like there's been no effort to repair anything and the limit drops from 70mph to 40mph then back up again all in the space of 150 yards.
It's an absolutely ludicrous state of affairs and is hugely dangerous - anyone know if they can even enforce it since there was obviously no advance notification?
It's an absolutely ludicrous state of affairs and is hugely dangerous - anyone know if they can even enforce it since there was obviously no advance notification?
NSL it was fun knowing you 
Any number inside a red ring is compulsory and the advisory can be anything but not red ringed. Dropping a proper sign onto a motorway would theoritically bolox it but would need corroberating by any following gantry signs or temp signage. If you go more than a mile without seeing a reminder or reason to comply then it is safe to resume NSL.
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