Speeds in South Bucks
Discussion
Well, they've done it now.
Speed limit zones in South Bucks have been surreptitiously extending by the odd quarter mile or half mile of late, so extending speed limits outside of village boundaries and out into the open.
But now they really have surpassed themselves.
Take, for example, the B470. It was 30 coming out of Iver, then 60 on the clear, wide road across the motorway, then into a 40 limit. And now? The 30 zone has been extended out of the village and the nice, wide road is 40 right the way along.
Or there are others. The 60 that's now a 50, the dual carriageway that's now a 60, the other dual carriageway that was a 70 until a couple of years ago, then a 60, is now a 50.
WTF is going on out there? How on earth can we stop this insidious spread of nonsensical speed limits? It's not worth having a nice car these days, we may as well all just drive Micras.
Speed limit zones in South Bucks have been surreptitiously extending by the odd quarter mile or half mile of late, so extending speed limits outside of village boundaries and out into the open.
But now they really have surpassed themselves.
Take, for example, the B470. It was 30 coming out of Iver, then 60 on the clear, wide road across the motorway, then into a 40 limit. And now? The 30 zone has been extended out of the village and the nice, wide road is 40 right the way along.
Or there are others. The 60 that's now a 50, the dual carriageway that's now a 60, the other dual carriageway that was a 70 until a couple of years ago, then a 60, is now a 50.
WTF is going on out there? How on earth can we stop this insidious spread of nonsensical speed limits? It's not worth having a nice car these days, we may as well all just drive Micras.
Speed limits? Ahhh, yes I remember those. They used to be a handy little clue to drivers helping us assess the risk of the bit of road we were on. It used to be something like 30 meant there were a load of houses and pedestrians and parked cars and stuff, 40s very occasionally on the edges of 30s. 50s sometimes sprung up on the open road if there was perhaps a junction where people tended to pull out wrecklessly into your path from.
But that was quite some time ago. They're worthless now -- out of town 30s all over the place. 50s on bits of road where people used to have fun and residents (who moved in knowing about the road, and paid less for their houses on account of it) wanted a bit more peace and quiet. 40s put in to slow people down for no particular reason.
Unforch they're just to be ignored now. Do as I do -- drive at whatever speed you decide to be safe for the conditions and make your own judgements but watch out for speed cameras.
SM
But that was quite some time ago. They're worthless now -- out of town 30s all over the place. 50s on bits of road where people used to have fun and residents (who moved in knowing about the road, and paid less for their houses on account of it) wanted a bit more peace and quiet. 40s put in to slow people down for no particular reason.
Unforch they're just to be ignored now. Do as I do -- drive at whatever speed you decide to be safe for the conditions and make your own judgements but watch out for speed cameras.
SM
supermono said:
Speed limits? Ahhh, yes I remember those. They used to be a handy little clue to drivers helping us assess the risk of the bit of road we were on. It used to be something like 30 meant there were a load of houses and pedestrians and parked cars and stuff, 40s very occasionally on the edges of 30s. 50s sometimes sprung up on the open road if there was perhaps a junction where people tended to pull out wrecklessly into your path from.
But that was quite some time ago. They're worthless now -- out of town 30s all over the place. 50s on bits of road where people used to have fun and residents (who moved in knowing about the road, and paid less for their houses on account of it) wanted a bit more peace and quiet. 40s put in to slow people down for no particular reason.
Unforch they're just to be ignored now. Do as I do -- drive at whatever speed you decide to be safe for the conditions and make your own judgements but watch out for speed cameras.
SM
But that was quite some time ago. They're worthless now -- out of town 30s all over the place. 50s on bits of road where people used to have fun and residents (who moved in knowing about the road, and paid less for their houses on account of it) wanted a bit more peace and quiet. 40s put in to slow people down for no particular reason.
Unforch they're just to be ignored now. Do as I do -- drive at whatever speed you decide to be safe for the conditions and make your own judgements but watch out for speed cameras.
SM
Exactly, but let's respect the genuine 30s and 40s etc.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
TripleS said:
Exactly, but let's respect the genuine 30s and 40s etc.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Aye, but I fear that the 'Cry Wolf' approach will make Joe Public less compliant where it's needed.
No doubt the scammers will be rubbing their hands in glee - 'Look at how many dangerous speeders we've caught
' they'll shout to justify their sad existences. SGirl said:
Well, they've done it now.
Speed limit zones in South Bucks have been surreptitiously extending by the odd quarter mile or half mile of late, so extending speed limits outside of village boundaries and out into the open.
But now they really have surpassed themselves.
Take, for example, the B470. It was 30 coming out of Iver, then 60 on the clear, wide road across the motorway, then into a 40 limit. And now? The 30 zone has been extended out of the village and the nice, wide road is 40 right the way along.
Or there are others. The 60 that's now a 50, the dual carriageway that's now a 60, the other dual carriageway that was a 70 until a couple of years ago, then a 60, is now a 50.
WTF is going on out there? How on earth can we stop this insidious spread of nonsensical speed limits? It's not worth having a nice car these days, we may as well all just drive Micras.
Speed limit zones in South Bucks have been surreptitiously extending by the odd quarter mile or half mile of late, so extending speed limits outside of village boundaries and out into the open.
But now they really have surpassed themselves.
Take, for example, the B470. It was 30 coming out of Iver, then 60 on the clear, wide road across the motorway, then into a 40 limit. And now? The 30 zone has been extended out of the village and the nice, wide road is 40 right the way along.
Or there are others. The 60 that's now a 50, the dual carriageway that's now a 60, the other dual carriageway that was a 70 until a couple of years ago, then a 60, is now a 50.
WTF is going on out there? How on earth can we stop this insidious spread of nonsensical speed limits? It's not worth having a nice car these days, we may as well all just drive Micras.
I used to live in Riching's Park - the road out of Iver to RP used be NSL but I noticed this went down to 40 some time ago - past the Bison fields. Crazy.
7db said:
It's an expensive hobby to go around ignoring those limits with the gleeful scammers around.
SGirl - you can still whizz round Pinewood and Fulmer on NSLs.
SGirl - you can still whizz round Pinewood and Fulmer on NSLs.
No you can't, I'm afraid - just got back from there. The entire Black Park road, from the sharp bend after the straight just after Pinewood Studios, right the way through to Fulmer, is now a 40 limit.
We're planning a move out of Bucks now. Sod 'em.
Is there anything we can do, other than take it in the pocket? I wouldn't mind paying the fines, it's the losing my licence I'm not keen on!
Edited by SGirl on Friday 19th January 09:35
do what i do: drive at 3 in the morning, and pay as much attention to the new 40 limit as i would the 60...
(before anyone whinges, i am not advocating dangerous driving, meely paying more attention to the roads, conditions and driving at a speed where you can stop in the distance you can see..)
(before anyone whinges, i am not advocating dangerous driving, meely paying more attention to the roads, conditions and driving at a speed where you can stop in the distance you can see..)
I would - but I usually have to go places during the day. 
I just wrote to our MP. I was going to write to our county councillor, but it comes as no surprise to see he's a Liberal Democrat. No doubt he'll be trying to persuade the council to close all roads and make us all walk everywhere in our hemp sandals instead.
I just wrote to our MP. I was going to write to our county councillor, but it comes as no surprise to see he's a Liberal Democrat. No doubt he'll be trying to persuade the council to close all roads and make us all walk everywhere in our hemp sandals instead.
To be honest, I think the situation with speed limits is only going to get worse before it gets better, thanks to the new "Circular Roads" guidelines (see here). This pretty much legitimises what most councils have done anyway over the last 15 years or so, but I could see councils playing safe again and cutting already stupid rural 50 and 40 limits to 40 or 30 
And I doubt there's going to be much objection, if any, from the Tories now that Cameron seems obsessed with the whole green image.
And yep, I agree that bad speed limits are bad for safety because it encourage drivers to travel too fast in areas where the limits are sensible.
And I doubt there's going to be much objection, if any, from the Tories now that Cameron seems obsessed with the whole green image.
And yep, I agree that bad speed limits are bad for safety because it encourage drivers to travel too fast in areas where the limits are sensible.
SGirl said:
No you can't, I'm afraid - just got back from there. The entire Black Park road, from the sharp bend after the straight just after Pinewood Studios, right the way through to Fulmer, is now a 40 limit.
Bloody hell - when did that happen? I drove it the other day at NSL.
Probably too many going a bit quick around the end of Cherry Tree Lane blind to traffic coming into Fulmer.
7db said:
Bloody hell - when did that happen? I drove it the other day at NSL.
Probably too many going a bit quick around the end of Cherry Tree Lane blind to traffic coming into Fulmer.
Dunno. It was definitely NSL the other day. Now it's a 40 limit right the way to the T-junction on the Wexham road.
I expect it's been restricted because of the few houses down there, plus to protect the numpties who take 20 minutes to park their Micras in the spaces for the back entrance of Black Park (which, incidentally, is all taped off this morning - must be some unsafe trees in there). Doesn't explain why that nice, long straight is under a 40, though. Barstewards.
oogieboogie said:
Surely there should be some warning by the road that this has changed?
(Council giving notice in the local paper is not enough IMHO).
(Council giving notice in the local paper is not enough IMHO).
Sometimes they may stick a piece of paper on a sign post but no big signs to tell motorists that there are any plans. I'm pretty sure councils don't like to get into much debate with the public, not to mention that scamera partnerships will probably want to ensure that speed limit cuts are done without too many noticing.
hairydave said:
yes, its also happened between uxbridge and slough, no signs saying 'new limit', and as i drive the road rather often, i don't look at the signs... lucky i did however, as i had it wfo in scond coming onto a dual carrageway that is now a 40...
Crap - that'll be a very popular spot for scameras I guess........
Sean
SGirl said:
7db said:
It's an expensive hobby to go around ignoring those limits with the gleeful scammers around.
SGirl - you can still whizz round Pinewood and Fulmer on NSLs.
SGirl - you can still whizz round Pinewood and Fulmer on NSLs.
No you can't, I'm afraid - just got back from there. The entire Black Park road, from the sharp bend after the straight just after Pinewood Studios, right the way through to Fulmer, is now a 40 limit.
We're planning a move out of Bucks now. Sod 'em.
Is there anything we can do, other than take it in the pocket? I wouldn't mind paying the fines, it's the losing my licence I'm not keen on!
Edited by SGirl on Friday 19th January 09:35
Hold on for the ECHR verdict - which I do so hope will be a goodun
Sean
SGirl said:
I expect it's been restricted because of the few houses down there, plus to protect the numpties who take 20 minutes to park their Micras in the spaces for the back entrance of Black Park (which, incidentally, is all taped off this morning - must be some unsafe trees in there). Doesn't explain why that nice, long straight is under a 40, though. Barstewards.
People do go too quickly past that stop where the kids are on bikes and on foot, and also the exits to driveways and roads which are blind for the cars exiting them. Just cos it's straight, doesn't mean you can go fast...
Further down towards the T-junction the lateral view opens up a little and you can press on a bit.
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