A12 speed limit

[Imadreamer]

Could any members that live in the London area and use the section of the A12 between Blackwall Tunnel and Eastway (Hackney Wick) please tell me when the limit was reduced to 40 (it was previously 50)?

I noticed yesterday all of the 40 signs and I'm sure they weren't there the previous day.

I thought there would be larger signs notifying drivers of the limit reduction rather than just letting them drive past the scameras at 50 and get caught?

[leosayer]

The limit goes from 50 down to 40 as you approach Hackney Wick. I think the limits there because of the sharp right hander. The 40 limit last for about 500 after the bend then it's back to 50.

[Imadreamer]

Not anymore it isn't. It's now a 40 limit all way from the Tunnel up to where the limit use to change back to 50.

[suggs]

Thanks for the tip-off. You've probably just saved me 3 points!

[leosayer]

Your having a laugh right? What possible justification is there for that.

[Imadreamer]

I have no idea what justification they could possibly have. I understood the thinking behind lowering the limit to 40 around the sharp bend but not the whole length of it.

What's worse is that there isn't any other warning that the limit has been lowered. I realise that drivers should always be observant and look for limit repeaters etc. but for a driver who uses the same stretch of road every day, they know what the limit is and so don't take notice of the repeaters. I can only assume that they are trying to catch people on the scameras that populate that stretch with people doing the previous ok limit of 50.

The 40 limit is obviously in both directions in case you were wondering.

[leosayer]

I've sent off an email to the Highways agency to find out what they're playing at.

[Imadreamer]

It'll be interesting to see what they've got to say and also why there aren't any signs warning of the new limit.

[leosayer]

Got a reply...

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Thank you for your email of 19 February.

I have spoken to the Area Manager for Tower Hamlets, who explained why the speed limit was reduced from 50mph to 40mph along this stretch of the A12. The change was made following a recommendation in an accident and safety report of 2002. The report noted that the design and layout of the stretch of the A12 south of the Old Ford suits a 40mph speed limit. There are a number of tight bends along this stretch of road, with forward visibility as low as 50 metres at some points. This is especially problematic southbound, but northbound visibility is not great either. There have been a series of accidents on the road as a result.

The report found that a 50mph speed limit would be suitable for the stretch of road from the Old Ford to Hackney Wick. However, the speed limit from Hackney Wick north is 40mph, and it was decided that there would be little point in having the speed limit increased to 50mph for the short stretch (some 800 metres) from Old Ford to Hackney Wick.

I hope this explains why the change was made. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.

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