To inform the Committee on the Council’s approach to considering and changing local speed limits and provide an update on how the Council is planning to implement the guidance set out in Circular 1/2006 ‘Setting Local Speed Limits’.

The Committee were informed of the Council’s approach to considering and changing local speed limits and were provided with an update on how the Council was planning to implement the guidance set out in DfT Circular 1/2006 ‘Setting Local Speed Limits’.

The Interim Transportation Manager reported that the Council’s approach to setting local speed limits was part of a wider Speed Management Strategy which formed a key component of the Road Safety Strategy, set out in the Local Transport Plan (LTP). The Speed Management Strategy worked alongside a Minor Safety Improvements Programme and the Road Safety Education Programme.  His joint report with the Lead Engineer (Traffic), outlined: the LTP and Local Area Agreement indicator performance; the Council’s approach to setting local speed limits, and the key elements of DfT Circular 1/2006.  The current policies and criteria will be revised and adapted to meet the objectives of Circular 1/2009 and the report indicated the programme for the review to meet the December 2011 completion target.

During the course of debate the following principal points were noted:

• Speed limits needed to be reasonable and appropriate to the environment.  In certain circumstances speed limits may need to be reinforced by the introduction of engineering works to highlight to drivers the need for the limit.  Driver frustration about limits should be avoided as this could lead to inappropriate driving and accidents.
• In accordance with the protocol, consultation was undertaken with ward members and town and parish Councils over proposals for limits.
• Vehicle speed was a major issue and the Council was addressed this through speed limits and engineering works, however, road safety and driver education were also key factors.
• Speed limits needed to be enforceable and imposing further limits would require further resources by the police.
• There are pro’s and con’s for installing Speed Indicator Display (SID) signs which instantly informs the driver of their speed and provides monitoring reports of actual speeds for later analysis.  The Council were working with town and parish council’s over their use.
• It was commented that a reduction in speed e.g. 60pmh down to 50mph, would help in meeting various targets e.g. Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI), and vehicle emissions.
• While the report highlighted that the KSI figure for 2008 was the lowest ever recorded in the County and provided confidence that the strategy was working, questions were asked over the reliability of the base data used.
• Comment was made that while the report set out the technical aspects of implementing the policy a more positive or proactive approach needed to be portrayed to the public.
• Reference was made to a new initiative being introduced in Hampshire to encourage drivers to reduce road speeds on which members requested further information.
•  The Committee noted that one of Governments’ priorities for action is for highway authorities to review the speed limits on all of their A and B class roads and implement any necessary changes in accordance with the Circular and its guidance by 2011.  Comment was made that the Council must not be complacent and that the review programme target of 2011 was too generous.  It was suggested that the Council should be aiming for 50mph roads to be reviewed by August 2009 and 30mph by the end of 2009.
• It was suggested that an urban speed limit e.g. 20mph, should be considered for whole residential estates and more information was requested on this.

The Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) summed up by: urging parish Councils to work with this authority over the use and sighting of SID signs; part time 20pmh zones near schools and in villages were being progressed subject to recourses; he had already requested a meeting with the Road Safety Partnership to discuss various aspects of road safety; the traffic order protocol was being reviewed to give greater priority to schemes arising from Killed or Seriously Injured incidents and that unfortunately a high proportion of KSI incidents occurred on the A49 which was managed by the Highways Agency.

RESOLVED: that the report be noted and a further report be presented to the November 2009 Committee setting out:

1. the progress with undertaking the review to meet DfT Circular 1/2006;
2. the progress made in delivering road safety and education work;
3. indicating the issues around setting a whole estate urban speed limit;
4. how the new initiative in Hampshire works; and
5. the financial and resource implications.