PAPER A2
Committee: REGULATORY APPEALS COMMITTEE
Date: 25 APRIL 2002
Title: OBJECTIONS TO ADVERTISED TRAFFIC ORDERS
REPORT OF
THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES
1. THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL (A3020 MEDINA WAY, NEWPORT,IW) (40 MPH SPEED LIMIT) ORDER No 1 2002
SUMMARY
An order to introduce a 40 mph speed limit on sections of Medina Way were advertised in February 2002 and the following representations have been received.
REPRESENTATIONS
A total of 14 letters of objection have been received. All of the letters are of a similar nature in so far as that they express concerns that the proposal will remove the only 70mph section of carriageway on the Island, which would reduce the potential to overtake and avoid the frustrations caused by motorists who chose to drive at a more sedate speed.
Furthermore, the proposal would have a significant impact on the ability to both train and test new drivers and could result in the statutory driving test being relocated to the mainland.
EVALUATION
In order to fully evaluate the matter fully, I considered each part of it separately.
Northbound
carriageway of the A3020 Medina Way, Newport from the southern junction of with
Dodnor roundabout to a point 178 metres south thereof.
A study has been undertaken into the accidents that have occurred on all approaches to Dodnor roundabout between 01/01/1995 to 31/12/ 2000. The results of this study found that there have been 45 personal injury accidents on Dodnor roundabout at its approaches, 15 of which were on the northbound approach. Of these, 10 were rear end shunt/overshoot accidents with a further 2 involving conflict between vehicles entering the roundabout and pedal cyclists circulating the junction.
Having studied accident data, including the 85%tile speeds on the approach and analysed the wear rate of the anti skid surfacing it is evident that the primary cause of these accidents is excessive speed on the approach to the junction.
As a consequence, and after consultation with the Police, it is recommended to introduce 40 mph speed limit on the approach to the junction, which will result in a reduction of vehicle speeds and reduce the number of personal injury accidents.
Southbound
carriageway of the A3020 Medina Way, Newport from a point 180 metres north-east
to a point 468 metres north-east of its junction with Fairlee Link Road.
As a result of a report prepared by a police traffic officer, based at Shanklin, a detailed analysis of the personal injury accidents in the area, between 01/01/95 and 31/12/00 was undertaken in an attempt to determine any common factors, in particular if excess speed had contributed to any accidents at the location.
It was found that 7 injury accidents had occurred and that speed had been a significant factor in all of them.
It is, therefore, recommended that a 40mph speed limit be introduced to act as a buffer zone between the existing 70mph limit and the commencement of the 30mph limit, further south. This is in line with advice contained in the Department of Transport “Circular Roads 1/93”, which provides guidance of the introduction of speed limits, and the Council’s Policy.
Since receipt of the numerous objections to the above order one of my officers has spoken to the vice chairman of the Institute of Advanced Motorists and has been able to confirm that their objection was based on the principal that the whole of the dual carriageway would be subject to a 40mph. It would, therefore, appear that the content of the draft proposals had not been accurately assessed and that the objection was based on incorrect information.
POLICE COMMENTS
Hampshire
Constabulary has not provided any written comment on the matter.
RECOMMENDATION
That the
Order is implemented as advertised
BACKGROUND PAPERS
Letters of objection, copies of
which are attached.
Report from PC Smith – Hampshire
Constabulary, dated 15/01/01, copy attached.
Contact Point : Peter Taylor,
Principal Engineer (Traffic & Transportation)
M J A
FISHER
Strategic
Director
Corporate
and Environment Services
