Report to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport
Report submitted by: Executive Director for Environment
Date: 30 April 2013
Part I
Electoral Divisions affected:
Morecambe North,
Lancaster Central,
Lancaster South East,
Lancaster Rural east,
Lancaster Rural North,
Garstang, Fleetwood East,
Fleetwood West, Wyreside,
Fylde West, Poulton-leFylde.
Proposal to Introduce a 30mph, 40mph and 50mph Speed Limit Order on
various roads in the Fylde, Lancaster and Wyre Districts
(Appendices 'A' to 'B8' refer)
Contact for further information:
Eddie Mills, 01772 535221, Environment Directorate,
Eddie.mills@lancashire.gov.uk
Executive Summary
Approval is sought for the introduction of 30mph, 40mph, and 50mph maximum
speed limit restrictions in Inskip Lane, Inskip-with-Sowerby, Inskip Road and Mill
Lane, Broadway, Fleetwood, A6 - Slyne Road - Bypass Road - Main Road, Boltonle-sands, A6 - Scotforth Road, Ship Road (B5290), Thurnham, Garstang Road,
Claughton-on-brock, A6 Preston Lancaster Road, Lancaster Road, Lancaster New
Road, Garstang Bypass Road, Garstang Road, Carr Lane, Stalmine-with-Staynall
following the receipt of objections during the statutory period of public consultation.
This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the reuirements of Standing Order No. 26
have been complied with.
Recommendation
The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport is asked to approve the
introduction of the speed limit order in the above roads in Fylde, Lancaster and
Wyre Districts as set out in the report, in the order attached at Appendix 'A' and as
shown on the attached plans (Appendices 'B1' to 'B8').
Background and Advice
The Department for Transport (DfT) Circular 01/2006 set a requirement for traffic
authorities to review the speed limits on A and B class roads. The County Council
commissioned Mouchel to assess and recommend any speed limit changes within
the county that were required.
The speed limit review outlined the steps that have been taken when proposing any
speed limit changes. These included consultation meetings with the relevant area
team traffic engineers to allow local knowledge to guide the recommendations.
As a result of this review it was recommended that the speed limit on sections of
various roads in the Fylde, Lancaster and Wyre districts should be reduced.
A copy of the Draft Order is attached at Appendix 'A' to this report and plans of the
proposed restrictions are attached at Appendices 'B1' to 'B8'.
Consultations
Statutory consultation and public advertisements of these proposals have been
carried out in accordance with legal requirements between 7 February and the 8
March 2013.
Following the period of statutory consultation responses from a Lancaster District
ward councillor and the Cyclists Touring Club (CTC) were received objecting to the
proposed speed limits on a number of the roads:
1. The CTC's general view is that all the speed limits should be reduced or
extended in line with their comments due to existing high accident rates.
2. Proposed 40mph speed limit on the A6 - Slyne Road - Main Road, Bolton-lesands, both sides, from a point 103 metres north of the centreline of
Bottomdale Road to a point 195 metres south of the centreline of Greenwood
Avenue.
The CTC's view is that this section should be 30mph due to unsuitable
alternative routes for cyclists and the short 400 metre length of the proposed
restriction.
3. Proposed 40mph speed limit on the A6 - Scotforth Road, Lancaster, both
sides, from a point 73 metres south of the centreline of Rays Drive to a point
157 metres south of the centreline of Green Lane for a distance of 1825m.
The CTC's view is that this section should be 30 mph due to high usage by
vulnerable road users, potential for adjacent development to the route, narrow
footways and unsuitable alternative routes.
The view of the district ward councillor is that this section should remain
50mph as the road is straight and changing the speed limit to 40mph result in
the limit being treated with contempt by motorists.
4. Proposed 50mph speed limit on the A6 Preston Lancaster Road, Lancaster,
both sides, from a point 157 metres south of the centreline of Green Lane to a
point 35 metres north of the centreline of Tanhouse.
The CTC's view is that this section should be 40 mph as the proposed speed
limit deters usage by vulnerable road users who use unsuitable alternative
routes and will result in little time saving for motorists.
5. Proposed 40mph speed limit on the A6 Garstang Road, Claughton-on-brock,
both sides, from a point 90 metres south of its junction with St Michaels Road
(Bilsborrow) to a point 603 metres south of its junction with New Lane
(Bilsborrow) for a total distance of 1719m.
The CTC's view is that this section should be 30 mph due to the high levels of
adjacent housing development and concern that the existing refuges create
safety concerns for cyclists.
6. Proposed 40mph speed limit on the A587 Broadway, Fleetwood, both sides,
from a point 228 metres south of the centreline of South Strand to a point 204
metres south of the centreline of Westbourne Road.
The CTC's view is that this section should be 30 mph due to the high levels of
usage by vulnerable road users, tram usage and adjacent links to
Government offices, sports fields and schools.
7. Proposed 50mph speed limit on Carr Lane, Stalmine-with-staynall, both sides,
from a point 175 metres north of the centreline of Carr Road to a point 53
metres south of the centreline of Carr End Lane.
The CTC supports the proposed reduction along this section to 50mph
although would like to see the speed limit extended through the national
speed limit sections from Hambleton to Cockerham as there are no readily
available alternative routes for vulnerable road users.
A third objection had been received from a member of public regarding speed limits
on the A6 and A586 but had been withdrawn following further clarification on the
proposals.
The local Divisional County Councillors were consulted and have raised no
objections.
County Council's Response to the objections
1. The Speed Limit Review has taken account of factors such as the
environment, road function, composition of road users, local knowledge,
existing traffic speeds and safety history. The speed limit proposed by the
county council has been determined as the most appropriate for each section
of road when all of these factors have been considered.
2. This section of the A6 has no recorded collisions resulting in injury within the
last 5 years. DfT circular 01/2006 confirms that speed limits of 400 metres can
be used if required. The road has low levels of fronting development and
would not meet recommended levels for a 30mph speed limit.
3. This section of the A6 has low levels of fronting development and the
alternative off carriageway cycle routes are well established, although there
are several junctions and a history of collisions resulting in serious injury.
Therefore the speed limit is proposed at 40mph. The county council is
currently proposing improvements to the cycle and crossing facilities at the
Lancaster University junction. Additional safety measures have also been
requested by the County Council along this section through the planning
process, where proposed adjacent development affects the highway. These
safety measures will be introduced should the planned developments
proceed.
4. This section of the A6 has no recorded collisions resulting in injury within the
last 5 years and has low levels of fronting development. Therefore the speed
limit is proposed at 50mph.
5. This section of the A6 has increased levels of fronting development however it
was determined that these levels were not sufficient to support a 30mph
speed limit. While it is acknowledged that the CTC do not support the use of
refuge crossings and reduced road widths, these provide links with the
identified pedestrian routes and cycle lane markings are provided through the
extent of this section. Therefore the speed limit is proposed at 40mph.
6. This section of the A587 has no recorded collisions resulting in injury within
the last 5 years and has low levels of fronting development. Therefore the
speed limit is proposed at 40mph
7. This section of the A588 has a proposed 50mph speed limit which the CTC
supports. However the review did not support the introduction of a 50mph
speed limit on the other national speed limit sections of the A588.
Implications:
This item has the following implications, as indicated:
Risk management
Not implementing the proposals may have an adverse affect on road and pedestrian
safety.
Financial
The estimated cost of the sealing of the Order is £500.
List of Background Papers
Paper
Nil.
Date
Contact/Directorate/Tel
Reason for inclusion in Part II, if appropriate
N/A.