The Road Safety Officer for the Council Mr D Rees addressed the Panel and drew attention to sections of the written report submitted and answered question from the Panel.

A review of the speed limits for all Wirral’s A, B and strategic C class roads including Brimstage Road in 2010. A consistent approach was undertaken by an experienced consultancy firm in conjunction with Wirral’s Traffic Manager and Local Police experts; this review looked at the use of the road, the frontage, shopping area, volume and speed of traffic.

Brimstage Road (A5137) is a strategic east- west route connecting Heswall and the A540 to the M53 at Clatterbridge. Following the recommendation of the Speed Limit Review Panel the speed limit was reduced from 60 to 50 Mph on the rural sections of Brimstage Road.

An analysis of road safety records on Brimstage Road in 2014 was undertaken by the road safety team. During this study there had been 6 injury crashes over a 5 year period within the 50 Mph section of this Rd, the Officer went into detail concerning these crashes.

To improve safety on Brimstage Rd a scheme was approved by Cabinet in 2015/16 with the scheme which introduced additional warning signs, road marking and a minor realignment of the main carriageway around the bend at the junction of Brimstage Rd and Whitehouse Lane being completed in 2017.

During this investigation the Council received the petition with over 240 signatures from Mr Mason; in October 2016 the Road Safety Manager and Cabinet Member for Highways met with Mr Mason and interested members of the public to discuss concerns over the speed of traffic on Brimstage Rd.

The finding of additional speed surveys undertaken before the scheme in October 16 and May 17 showed the majority of traffic in both directions speed was between 41 and 46 Mph.

Poor visibility from entrances from properties is being addressed by Lever Hulme Estates by cutting back the hedgerows now the birds have finished nesting to increase visibility, though some of the properties (nursing homes could also improve their own visibility through similar measures).

It was noted that the Police had commented they would have further difficulty in effectively enforcing a lower speed limit on this road if reduced to 40 Mph due to there being no laybys to pull speeding cars over on to. The only viable method would be through pacing vehicles which would have a limited effect.

The Road Safety Management concluded his presentation of the report by referring to the conclusion from the panel of experts regarding to the wide scale speed limit review in 2010/11 is correct and the current 50 Mph speed limit for this road is appropriate and within the guidance set out by the Department for Transport.

The Lead Petitioner Mr Peter Mason addressed the Panel and answered questions asked; he explained to the panel his industry background as a Civil Engineer involved in infrastructures projects overseas. Mr Mason has lived on the Wirral for 20 years during this time he has been concerned about road safety and his views are shared by many members of public. Mr Mason said he was instrumental in reducing the speed limit on the section of Brimstage Road from the Clegg Arms Gayton to the Heswall Hills Railway Station from 40 to 30 Mph.

Mr Mason told the panel his 14 year old daughter was knocked down and killed outside Clatterbridge Hospital in 1990.

Mr Mason informed the Panel members that the concerns he raises are reflected by many people for the safety of the road users, elderly people and school children crossing the road. There are 2 care homes and visitors, staff and delivery vans  have difficult in joining the road and the staff crossing the road to the bus stop due to the speed of traffic.

Brimstage Road has many blind bends and as it is a rural road you could encounter slow moving tractors, and Cattle crossing the road both leaving dirt and dung on the road.

He pointed out the road is used by HGV, cars, cycles and horses the road is not wide and there is no continuous footpath. The 50 Mph is misleading to users as some parts of the road have to be taken at considerable slower speeds.

He concluded that the reduction in the speed limit from 40 to 30 Mph has saved a number of casualties and he now needs to do the same for the rest of Brimstage Road but as a compromise only reducing the speed limit from 50 to 40 Mph.

Mr Mason was asked to leave the room whilst the Panel discussed making their decision.

Mr Mason was invited back into the meeting to be given the decision by the Chair of the Panel.

The Panel had voted 2:1 to uphold the Recommendation for the Speed Limit to remain the same.

The Chair gave that the main reasons against changing the speed limit were:

Statistics show that there isn’t a reason to change the speed limit.

The road safety record has improved on this road.

The Chair has made a recommendation to the Traffic Management Officer to look at the signage and where it is placed, the slow signs prior to the bends. Check road markings and signage are in good condition.

If the situation changes on the safety of road users it will be reviewed again.