Closed
Lower speed limit on A415 Standlake Rd OX29 7PX
Reported via desktop in the Roads and Carriageways category anonymously at 14:48, Sat 2 July 2022
Sent to Oxfordshire County Council less than a minute later
I would like to make an appeal for the speed limit to be reduced. I have spoken with an official from OCCl and he was very surprised that the speed limit was 50mph on this stretch of road and said that it is known to be an accident black spot. Just the other week, a car crashed into a hedge on the bend just yards away from the entrance to our house. Back in 2020 there was a death due to an RTA just outside of Cokethorpe Park School and another serious RTA in 2021. It is my understanding that legally it might be the case that the speed limit needs to be reduced to 40mph in line with recent legislation around reducing speed limits. The other suggestion is that a camera is put up on this stretch of road. Sometimes it can sound like the road is a race track. The speeds most vehicles do far exceeds 50mph including lorries. I have approached the parish council and they have said they have written many letters on the subject but to no avail and therefore I had to contact OCC. I look forward to your feedback. Many thanks, Amanda Revell Walton
Council ref: ENQ22928657
Updates
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Thank you for your enquiry. This issue has been passed onto the relevant team for investigation.
State changed to: Investigating
Posted by Oxfordshire County Council at 14:49, Sat 2 July 2022
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The following details the process for implementing a speed limit, either new or amendment. Basically we need a plan of where the limit is to be, speed data to be collected at locally agreed points, assessment of the suitability of the new limit based on survey results, accident statistics, casualty reduction benefits, following which a formal plan can be drawn up for consultation. I’ll be happy to answer any queries.
“We use the national guidance on setting speed limits…
(see https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ government/ uploads/ system/ uploads/ attachment_data/ file/ 2733/ setting-local-speed-limits.pdf) https://www.gov.uk/ government/ publications/ setting-local-speed-limits https://www.gov.uk/ government/ publications/ setting-local-speed-limits/ setting-local-speed-limits
… as a basis for deciding the appropriate speed limit for any specific location – while these do provide some flexibility, a proposal for a limit that was appreciably lower than the currently prevailing speeds would unlikely be judged as appropriate unless traffic calming measures were also introduced. We would therefore usually require speed surveys to be carried out to check on current speeds (we’d be happy to arrange these, but a charge is made – around £250 + VAT per survey).
If a preliminary assessment confirmed that a change in limit would comply with these guidelines (and funding available to carry out the administrative work, the changes to the speed limit signs, and – if needed – the traffic calming measures), then the process for promoting a speed limit change is in principle fairly straightforward, although I must stress that we are required to consult widely, and that a decision as to whether to proceed would be taken in the light of the responses received.
I hope these comments are of help – unfortunately at present we have no funding available to investigate / take forward speed limit proposals, and so the only realistic way this could be progressed is if the parish council were to fund (there are a number of precedents for this; also, quite a number of speed limit changes have been funded from developer contributions).
It is I’m afraid very difficult to give a reliable cost estimate without carrying out a detailed survey once the proposal has been developed in more detail; however, as a guide, the administrative costs will likely be £3255. Signing costs will be heavily dependent on the extent of the proposed changes and factors such as the presence of existing poles for any repeater signs needed. The costs of any traffic calming measures that might be needed to support a lower limit would similarly be very dependent on the type and number of features installed.
Please let me know if you have any further queries on this – if it would be helpful to meet on site to discuss this further with representatives of the council, I’d be very happy to do so.” The following is text from Thames Valley Police… Thames Valley Police are not opposed to lowering speed limits providing they are appropriate to the road environment and likely to have casualty reduction benefits .All aspects of the proposed speed limit are taken into account i.e. collision history ,speed of existing traffic, road environment, enforcement, road character and driver perception etc.
The current speed of traffic is a reliable indicator of how acceptable a new speed limit would be. The recognised way of ascertaining this level of self-compliance is the mean speed. If the mean speed is 4 mph or more over the proposed limit it is unlikely to be effective without other measures such as engineering or continual enforcement.
There is a proven link between road environment/character and drivers speed .Drivers must respect the need for a speed limit .If it is not accepted as realistic it will quickly be abused and be the source of constant demands for police action.
The policy of Thames Valley Police is to use sound practical and realistic criteria (Circular Roads 1/2013) when responding to Highway Authorities in an effort to promote consistency and to reduce the burden of constant and unnecessary enforcement. The advice shown in Circular Roads 1/2013 states Speed Limit should not be used to attempt to solve the problem of isolated hazards ,for example a single junction or reduced forward visibility.
State changed to: Fixed
Posted by Oxfordshire County Council at 13:17, Mon 8 August 2022
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FMS updated
State changed to: Investigation complete
Posted by Oxfordshire County Council at 13:43, Mon 8 August 2022
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