Archived decisions

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1. Summary

1.1 Following a report to the former Planning and Transportation Committee on 3 July 2000 a proposal for a 20 miles per hour (mph) speed limit at Crondall has been advertised. In response to a request from the Executive Member for Environment this report reviews the current position on 20 mph speed limits and it is suggested that the proposal at Crondall be implemented as a pilot project in a village, with a view to a further report in due course on the results of monitoring and to consider whether the wider use of 20 mph speed limits would be appropriate.

2. Introduction

2.1 The Executive Member has requested that the Committee provides some guidance as to the extent it would wish to see 20 mph speed limits imposed in villages in Hampshire. This request has arisen following a proposal for a 20 mph limit at Crondall, which has reached the stage of having been advertised and is now in a position where the order could be made and the scheme implemented.

2.2 His concern is whether a 20 mph speed limit will be beneficial and whether it may set a precedent. There are many similar villages in the county and should this scheme be approved it may be followed by requests for similar schemes in other villages.

3. Background

3.1 The proposal at Crondall stems from a report on speed limit policy which was considered by the former Planning and Transportation Committee on 3 July 2000 and is attached as an appendix. The issue of 20 mph speed limits was discussed in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.3 where the distinction was drawn between traffic calmed 20 mph zones and 20 mph limits using only normal terminal and repeater signs.

3.2 The report concluded that there may be some merit in the limited use of 20 mph speed limits without traffic calming in suitable circumstances and suggested four sites at Ringwood, Havant, Liphook and Crondall where pilot projects might be undertaken. It was resolved:

"That 20 mph speed limits using signing without the use of traffic calming measures be pursued at Ringwood, Havant, Liphook and Crondall as pilot projects, and the effects taken into account in a review of speed limit policy at the appropriate time."

4. Current Position

4.1 The schemes proposed at Ringwood and Havant have been implemented. At Crondall the 20 mph order has been advertised, while at Liphook the proposal is linked with developer funded improvements in the town centre and is soon to be processed.

4.2 It is too early to draw meaningful conclusions from the Ringwood and Havant schemes, but initial monitoring at Ringwood has shown some interesting results. The 85%ile speeds have remained little changed in the 24 to 26 mph range, but there does seem to be a significant reduction in the proportion of vehicles travelling above 20 mph, from an average of some 46% before the limit was introduced to 35% after. The implication of these initial results seems to be that there is change in the speed distribution with significantly more vehicles below 20 mph, even though the 85%ile speeds are at a similar level before and after the 20 mph limit was introduced. Further monitoring will show whether this pattern is maintained.

5. Policy Issues

5.1 Members will note from paragraph 4.2 of the attached report that the guidance from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) is that 20 mph limits of this type are only appropriate where existing speeds are low, with the 85%ile speed no higher than 24 mph. These conditions would apply in areas of concentrated development with narrow, winding roads or high levels of pedestrian activity and the pilot projects were selected with this in mind.

5.2 In rural areas it would only be villages such as Crondall, with a low speed, narrow and winding road network, which would meet these conditions. The question which will arise is whether the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit has a significant effect on traffic speeds and can be demonstrated to give benefits which would justify application in other similar locations.

5.3 There is considerable interest in the possible wider use of 20 mph speed limits and, although this is more likely in urban than rural areas, there may be a case for wider application in some villages. It is felt that it would be sensible to proceed with the trial proposed for Crondall and to monitor the effect before considering whether similar schemes would be appropriate elsewhere and, if so, setting suitable criteria as part of a review of the County Council's speed limit policy.

5.4 It should be noted that there is a high expectation by Crondall Parish Council and local residents that the pilot scheme will be implemented. It has been discussed at a public meeting and the County Council's intention to make the order has been advertised locally in accordance with statutory procedures, following the former Planning and Transportation Committee resolution. The scheme is strongly supported by the local County Council Member - Councillor Mrs Leversha, and by the local District Council Member - Councillor Lambert.

6. Conclusion

6.1 The proposed 20 mph speed limit at Crondall is recommended for implementation as a pilot project in accordance with the resolution of the former Planning and Transportation Committee on 3 July 2000. The effects would be monitored together with those from the other trials in Ringwood, Havant and Liphook, and a further report brought to this Committee for consideration of including criteria for 20 mph speed limits in the County Council's speed limit policy. As indicated in the previous report, revised guidance is still expected from the DTLR on setting other speed limits and this can also be taken into account at the appropriate time in a review of County Council policy.

Recommendation

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment to approve the implementation of the proposed 20 miles per hour speed limit at Crondall, as a pilot project, and a further report considered in due course on the effects of this scheme and the other pilot projects at Ringwood, Havant and Liphook.

6665/PDB