Contact: Geoff Topps, ext 7959 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That under the powers contained in Section 84 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the section of 40 miles per hour speed limit on the A3 Portsmouth Road, south from the existing 30 miles per hour limit in Horndean to Keydale Avenue junction, be reduced to 30 miles per hour by the introduction of a new Traffic Regulation Order.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aims 1, 2 and 4 (Maximising Life Opportunities, Stewardship of the Environment and Building Strong and Safe Communities) of the Corporate Strategy by complementing Section 5 of the A3 Bus Priority Corridor (reference Project Appraisal 4 November 2005). This is creating high quality public transport facilities with improved accessibility along the major public transport corridor, that will stimulate greater use and attract new users who would otherwise travel by car.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Leave the 40 miles per hour (mph) speed limit as it is. To do so would undermine the other speed limit reductions already approved and/or carried out for Sections 1, 2a, 2b and 4a of the A3 Corridor. General road safety would not benefit from overall improvement and there may not be sufficient road width to improve pedestrian safety by constructing pedestrian refuges. South of the Causeway junction, where the speed limit reduction coincides with a bus lane, it could not be shared with cyclists. This is because the bus lane width is not suitable for cycles and vehicles at speeds higher than 30 mph, which would confuse cyclists and undermine the continuity of cycle facilities provided up to this point.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor M J Kendal

1022Decn/GT