The Director of Technical Services reported concerning objections received to proposals recommended as part of the Speed Limit Review study for various locations across the Borough:- 

Following new guidance for the setting of local speed limits published by the Department for Transport, local authorities were required to undertake a review of speed limits on all A and B classified roads and implement any necessary changes by 2011.  The Speed Limit Review Panel had assessed the suitability of existing speed limits and considered a number of different factors including road safety analysis, cost and safety benefits, enforcement, and maintenance of proposed schemes, changes in driver behaviour and the consistency of speed limits. Discussions had also been held with neighbouring local authorities over cross boundary routes to ensure a consistent approach was maintained.

The Speed Limit Review Panel proposed a number of speed limit recommendations, which were based on robust evidence and follow the guiding principles published within Department for Transport guidance.

The Panel considered the following objections received from the Cyclists’ Touring Club and Merseyside Cycling Campaign (Wirral Group) in response to the statutory advertisement of its proposals. Representative of these organisations attended the meeting and outlined their objections.

The Panel agreed to vote on each proposal separately.

B5137 Brimstage Road, Bebington

Proposal – Relocation of existing 30mph / National Speed Limit gateway

Objection – That the 30mph limit / gateway is not being altered to finish/start at the Clatterbridge roundabout.

Response – The principle behind increasing the speed limit along this short link was supported by evidence that drivers coming from a largely rural road network or motorway had not sufficiently reacted to the existing 30mph speed limit signs (possibly due to their proximity to the complex signalised motorway junction). The section of road concerned did not have any frontage or the usual attributes drivers associate with a 30mph speed limit, although street lighting was present on one side of the road.

The proposed amendment provided an opportunity to create a highly visible gateway approaching a built-up area. The Panel considered that such a gateway, in advance of the Toucan crossing, closer to the built up area was likely to achieve greater respect by drivers thus reducing vehicle speeds and improving road safety on the approach to its junction with Beechway and the residential area.   

Recommendation (2:1) – That this proposal be implemented as advertised.

A5137 Brimstage Road / Whitehouse Lane, Brimstage

Proposal – Reduce from National Speed Limit to 50mph

Objection – That the limit is not being reduced from national speed limit to 40mph.  The road is narrow and it is particularly hazardous when motorists are passing other vulnerable road users including horse-riders, cyclists and pedestrians of which there are high numbers given the rural area.  It has a number of bends, junctions and accesses.  It is unlit apart from the area of the defined village community. 

The current 30mph limit in the village area is not being extended to west of Talbot Avenue in recognition of National Cycle Route 56 to better protect the large number of cyclists who use it.

Response – This route, running from the A540 to the west and the M53 Junction 4 Interchange to the east has two sections where proposed speed limit changes are proposed  (Old Lane to Talbot Avenue and the link from east of Brimstage Lane to M53 Junction 4).  Both sections were largely rural in nature and were located on an A class road.  The guidance recommends that the speed limit in rural areas should be 50/60mph for most high quality strategic A and B roads with few bends, junctions or accesses.  It was also noted that this route was subject to full carriageway reconstruction during April 2010.

The Panel also recommended including Whitehouse Lane in the speed reduction proposals to improve consistency and compliance.

The Panel considered that given the overall layout of this A class road, together with its road safety record, it was appropriate to reduce the speed limit to 50mph. The Panel believed that further reduction in the speed limit to 40mph would not necessarily bring any greater road safety benefits, and was likely to lead to a high rate of non-compliance. Guidance issued by the Dft also supported the Panel’s views. Following the widespread approach to setting local speed limits the Panel considered that a 40mph speed limit was suited to routes where frontage development was dominant or where there was a significant number of vulnerable road users.

Recommendation (3:0) – That this proposal be implemented as advertised.

A551 Upton Bypass, Upton

Proposal – Increase from 30mph to 40mph

Objection – That the increase of the speed limit from 30mph to 40mph in a short stretch between two roundabouts in an area that is a network of minor rural lanes.

Response – This route provides a by-pass of the built up area of Upton and stretches from Arrowe Park Road in the south to the start of the M53 Junction 2 to the north.  The route has very limited development and frontage access and is a single carriageway standard with street lighting present.  The proposed speed limit change would improve the management and suitability of speeds along this route and assist in achieving more appropriate vehicle speeds thus encouraging compliance.  Recorded 85^th percentile speeds were much higher than the set limit and the road met the criteria for a higher speed road.

Recommendation (3:0) – That this proposal be implemented as advertised.

Heron Road, Hoylake / Pump Lane, Greasby / Saughall Massie Road, Saughall Massie

Proposal – Reduce from National Speed Limit to 50mph along Heron Road and Pump Lane.  Increase from 30mph to 50mph along part of Saughall Massie Road.

Objection – That the speed limit is not being reduced to 40mph.  Heron Road / Pump Lane is narrow and is particularly hazardous when motorists are passing other vulnerable road users including horse-riders, cyclists and pedestrians.  It has a number of bends. and is largely unlit. 

Response – Heron Road and Pump Lane are rural in nature, there is very limited development and frontage access along the routes and they all met the criteria for a higher speed road.

Following the resurfacing of Heron Road and introduction of safety measures including SLOW and edge of carriageway markings, marker posts, cats eyes and signage, road safety has significantly improved on this road. Introducing a 50mph speed limit reduction would provide significant benefits including the opportunity to improve consistency with adjoining link roads including Saughall Massie Road to the east and the existing 50mph speed limit on the western section of Saughall Massie Road.  In addition it was considered that this consistent approach would achieve greater respect by drivers and improve compliance.  Following the widespread approach to setting local speed limits the Panel considered that a 40mph speed limit was suited to routes where frontage development was dominant or where there was a significant number of vulnerable road users.

Recommendation (3:0) – That this proposal, as now amended by the reduction of the speed limit to 40 mph along Heron Road,  be implemented.

Storeton Village, Storeton

Proposal – Reduce from National Speed Limit to 30mph within Village area and relocation of existing 30mph / National Speed Limit gateway along Lever Causeway.

Objection – The proposed speed limit reductions and alteration to 30mph gateway are supported but we object to what seems an extension to the national limit for a short distance on the approach to the village from the east.

We take this opportunity to record our disappointment that the Review retains the national speed limit of 60mph on the Lever Causeway, itself.  It is an accident black spot.  We feel that a reduction in speed on the open stretch is essential alongside installation of road lighting and/or development of a segregated green way to either side of the carriageway for shared use by walkers, runners, horse-riders and cyclists.

Response – Lever Causeway currently has minimal frontage development and access and the accident rate is below the Dft threshold levels for action.  Although there have been a small number of KSI casualties, these have not been due to the speed of traffic.  The route also has good forward visibility.

Relocating the existing gateway along Lever Causeway would provide the opportunity to create a highly visible gateway approaching a built-up area. The Panel considered that such a gateway, in advance of the village, closer to the built up area was likely to achieve greater respect by drivers thus reducing vehicle speeds and improving road safety.

A Local Safety Scheme incorporating enhanced signing, extensive road markings and marker posts had been introduced on Levers Causeway during the last two years.  Following detailed investigation into the crash history, this scheme did not warrant further speed reduction measures, however an ongoing programme of monitoring was in place.  Road safety had improved and there were no recent recorded injury accidents.

The programme of work for footway / cycleway measures for this year had been approved by the Council and this location was not identified as a priority within the programme.  As with all roads throughout the Borough, it will be considered again when drawing up future programmes.

Recommendation (3:0) – That this proposal be implemented as advertised.

B5136 Thornton Common Road / B5151 Willaston Road, Clatterbridge

Proposal – Reduce from National Speed Limit to 50mph

Objection – To the reduction of the speed limit to only 50mph between Clatterbridge and the Thornton Common Road roundabout, and, on to the Willaston Road and Thornton Common Road.  There are a number of bends, junctions and accesses, at times affording little clear sight of other vulnerable road users.  As would be expected in what is a rural area, there is a high mix on these roads of horse-riders, cyclists, walkers and runners.  A speed of 40mph is far more appropriate.

Response – Thornton Common Road and Willaston Road are both rural in nature, have very limited development and frontage access and meet the criteria for a higher speed road.  Both routes have recently been subject to carriageway surface dressing and there are also proposals to introduce Local Safety Schemes comprising of enhanced warning signage and road markings. 

The proposed speed limit change along Willaston Road was also consistent with proposals being considered by  the neighbouring authority Cheshire West and Chester Council, as this was a cross boundary route.

Recommendation (3:0) – That this proposal be implemented as advertised.

Resolved – That the Panel:

(1)  Note the objections received and the officers’ responses; and

(2)  Recommend to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee that the following Speed Limit Review recommendations be approved for implementation: -

(a)  (2:1) B5137 Brimstage Road, Bebington - Proposal – Relocation of existing 30mph / National Speed Limit gateway;

(b)  (3:0)  A5137 Brimstage Road / Whitehouse Lane, Brimstage  - Proposal – Reduce from National Speed Limit to 50mph

(c) (3:0) A551 Upton Bypass, Upton - Proposal – Increase from 30mph to 40mph

(d)  (3:0) Heron Road, Hoylake / Pump Lane, Greasby / Saughall Massie Road, Saughall Massie - Proposal – Reduce from National Speed Limit to 40mph along Heron Road, 50 mph along  Pump Lane, and increase from 30mph to 50mph along part of Saughall Massie Road

(e) (3:0)  Storeton Village, Storeton - Proposal – Reduce from National Speed Limit to 30mph within Village area and relocation of existing 30mph / National Speed Limit gateway along Lever Causeway.

(f) (3:0)  B5136 Thornton Common Road / B5151 Willaston Road, Clatterbridge - Proposal – Reduce from National Speed Limit to 50mph