Safe Speed Forums

POLICE have slammed a decision to cut the 50mph limit on the A40 at Holtspur – and said speed is not always to blame for smashes.

Thames Valley Police said it “objects strongly” to the move to slash the road approaching Beaconsfield to 40mph – and warned it would be ignored and put a burden on officers.

Council road bosses acknowledged this – and said drivers must be “encouraged” to obey the new limit.

Its official response to the plans, the force says: “Many of the collisions have significant causation factors other than simply speed.”

And they said the road “is a strategic road linking High Wycombe and Beaconsfield and [a] major diversionary route for the M40”.

They added: “Visual aspect of road is an open road more fitting of a national speed limit than 40mph.”

The force said the crash rate data and Government guidance supports keeping 50mph. It should be cut only if there was a high number of bends and junctions, officers said.

The force’s official response said: “There are a number of junctions with housing estates but no ‘substantial development’.”

It also warned Buckinghamshire County Council to expect “a high level of non-compliance and will only work when being enforced”.

This would place an “unacceptable burden of enforcement on Thames Valley Police”.

A council report admits the police have “limited resources” to catch speeders and there are “strict restrictions” on putting in speed cameras.

Instead drivers will “need to be encouraged to keep within speed limits” with speed limit signs, flashing “reminder” signs and through residents reporting breaches, it said.

County transport boss Valerie Letheren this week backed the cut, part of a review of all speed limits in Bucks.

She told Bucks Free Press: "The police are very apprehensive about putting in speed liimits that they worry they can't enforce.

"This is in response to a lot of local residents' concerns."

It will be in force by the end of March at a cost of £6,000 to £10,000.

The long-mooted plan split those who responded to a public consultation with 20 in support and 19 against.

One said the change was “essential for safety, fuel consumption and most of all the environment”.

It said: “The people opposing these limits are mostly motorists passing through.”

A council report said: “Because there was no clear majority view in the consultation responses it was felt that the views of the local community should be given particular consideration and that a 40mph speed limit be introduced as advertised.”

The council said it would monitor speeds and crash data to see “whether further speed limit changes should be considered”.

The new speed limit will begin just before the junction of Wooburn Green Lane to the existing 30mph limit at Beaconsfield.

One said the change was “essential for safety, fuel consumption and most of all the environment”.

The council said it would monitor speeds and crash data to see “whether further speed limit changes should be considered”.