GUIDANCE FOR SETTING LOCAL SPEED LIMITS

On 18 December 2006, the Cabinet considered a report summarising recently published guidance by the Department for Transport (DfT) on the setting of local speed limits. The guidance recommended a framework for the assessment and consistent application of speed limits on roads throughout the country. The guidance has been published following an extensive national consultation to which officers of the County Council responded. Although the guidance retains and builds upon many of the underlying principles of earlier advice contained in Circular Roads 01/93 and subsequent guidance, it also reflects important developments in national speed management policies and research such as the relationship between speed and the risk of collision and severity of injury, and the actual speeds being driven on rural roads. The guidance is intended for use in setting all local speed limits on single and dual carriageway roads in both urban and rural areas. As a priority, Traffic Authorities are requested to review the speed limits on all of their A and B roads and implement any changes by 2011.

The Cabinet concluded that whilst acknowledging the Government's priorities for reviewing speed limits on A and B roads, it was also desirable to review other speed limits, particularly in villages, according to local priorities and demand as determined through the Hampshire Action Teams (HATs) and in liaison with the Hampshire Association of Town and Parish Councils. The Cabinet recognised that more enforcement and promotional activity may be required if limits are set without installing traffic calming measures, and was particularly keen to improve driver sensitivity to children entering and leaving school premises. Therefore the following decisions were made:

· That the DfT Circular 01/2006 `Setting Local Speed Limits' be approved for use as a basis for the assessment and setting of all speed limits on the county road network.


· That a review of speed limits on all A and B roads be undertaken as priorities permit in the traffic management programme to meet the Government's completion target of 2011.


· That 30 and 40 miles per hour speed limits, particularly in villages, be positively reviewed in accordance with the guidance and according to locally determined priorities through the Hampshire Action Teams. Furthermore, that urgent consideration be given to 20 miles per hour speed limits at schools that wish such limits, in conjunction with a publicity campaign at all schools promoting "20 is plenty!"


· That options be explored through the new Safer Roads Partnership for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight as to how increased compliance with village speed limits in Hampshire might be achieved within the resources and priorities of the Partnership.


· That the Hampshire Association of Town and Parish Councils be consulted with a view to commissioning a public attitude survey with Hampshire residents to assess the acceptability of lower speed limits and increased enforcement to achieve compliance in villages.