Oh well we tried to get it down to 40 MPH like the Top end and the soon to be bottom(Rumbush Lane Solihull)
Full portfolio meeting can be found on the following link.
Reference 7 – Forshaw Heath Road / Forshaw Heath Lane / Mill Lane / Poolhead Lane.
Jo Edwards advised that all objectors would prefer the proposed 50mph speed limit to be reduced to a 40mph speed limit. However, the Department for Transport issued strict criteria in respect of the setting of speed limits and any further reduction than the proposed 50mph would also be contrary to County Council policy.
Councillor Perry reported that he had been on a site visit to the area and had also undertaken consultation with local residents. Within the current 60mph speed limit, drivers’ mean speed along the road was recorded at 45mph; therefore it was anticipated that a reduction to 50mph would also reduce the level of mean speed. In light of this, Councillor Perry was in support of the proposed Speed Limit Order.
Councillor Butlin outlined the importance in ensuring that the County Council’s speed limit policy was applied consistently across the county. Based on the road characteristics and environment, he considered that the 50mph speed limit was appropriate and therefore, the advertised Speed Limit Order, Reference 7, was approved.
Proposed Speed Limits
Proposed Speed Limit Objection
Ref: 7
Location: Forshaw Heath Road/Forshaw Heath Lane/Mill Lane/Poolhead Lane
Dwg No. SE/LJW/12/D5003
Existing Speed Limit: 60mph Proposed Speed Limit: 50mph
Objections and Reasons –
Objections 1, 2, and 3.
All objectors would prefer the proposed 50mph speed limits to be reduced to 40mph speed limits.
Comments received from local residents (not formal objections) -
Objection 4
In March 2011, 34 residents of the village requested a 40mph limit. Due to several unrecorded incidents of vehicles going off the road, and the general environment of the roads. In addition, Solihull MBC are currently consulting on changes to speed limits in the area, and are proposing 40mph limits on roads that lead into Warwickshire. The new consultation issued by DfT, suggests that local authorities should work together to have the same speed limits across boundary routes.
I am not sure why this is not formal- 34 residents filled in an official Building Safer Neighbourhoods together issued by Warwickshire Police at the Henley and Studley Community Forum now called the Arden Community Forum.
I am not sure why this is not formal- 34 residents filled in an official Building Safer Neighbourhoods together issued by Warwickshire Police at the Henley and Studley Community Forum now called the Arden Community Forum.
Objection 5
It is the general consensus of local residents that 50mph is too fast for these local roads.Concerns raised over the proposals by Solihull to make some adjoining roads 40mph, and the boundary interfaces being different.
Objection 6
It is the general consensus that 50mph is too fast for these local roads.
Solihull are proactively responding to the recent consultation issued by DfT for rural and semi rural roads, by proposing 30mph and 40mph limits in their Borough. The volume of traffic on Forshaw Heath Road is sufficient to merit a mush lower limit, ideally of 30mph. it make no sense that Solihull and Warwickshire Councils are not working together when they have a
boundary Borough line, a point which is recommended in the new guidance consultation.
Police Comments –
Warwickshire Police will not support the proposal, however they have not formally objected.
This is contradictory how can you say the Police will not support the proposal but they have not formally objected.
This is contradictory how can you say the Police will not support the proposal but they have not formally objected.
Portfolio Holder 0912/ww1b(iv) 10.9.12 B (iv) 2 of 2
Officer Comments –
When setting speed limits there are strict criteria which has to be
applied, (as issued by the Department for Transport), and this includes the
mean speed of existing vehicles, the environment and any relevant accident
data. The proposed limit of 50mph meets this criteria and any lower speed
limit would be contrary to County Council policy. Extensive research issued by the Department for Transport), has found that inappropriate speed limits i.e. where the posted limit is too low for the environment, results in drivers simply ignoring the speed limit, which results in even higher speeds. Although the proposed limit will be posted with 50mph signs, this does not mean that
drivers will attempt to travel at 50mph, as the majority of drivers choose their speed according to the environment. The signs will indicate that 50mph is the maximum speed and are not intended to be a target.
Recommendation – It is recommended that this proposal is implemented as advertised.