Safe Speed Forums

I've been informed that Derbyshire CC intend to reduce the speed limit on the entire stretch of the A515 from Buxton to Sudbury (where it joins the A50) via Ashbourne from NSL (60) to 50 mph, except where it is already lower

This is a superb driving road and, although the quality varies in places, it includes some of the straightest and best-aligned sections of single-carriageway rural A-road in the country. If this can be reduced to 50, then nothing can be considered safe.

Objections to the proposal, stating the reasons for the objection, should be sent in wring to the Strategic Director - Environmental Services, County Hall, Matlock, DE4 3AG (For Attention of North Western Traffic Team) by 16 February 2007.

_________________
"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

Just looked on Google Earth and bloody hell thats a long length of road!

I sometimes wonder if we should just compaign for the single-carriageway NSL to be cut to 50, then us taxpayers wouldn't have to fork out for so many damn repeater signs.

I guess there will be some benefits though; drivers who don't recognise the NSL, will know what speed to drive AT.

In my neck of the woods, people are oblivious to the NSL sign: if they can't see a number in a ring its 40 all the way!

I drive the A515 several times a year from Buxton through to Lichfield and I'm at a loss to know why the Safety Nazis have such problem with it. Is the accident rate that bad? There are a couple of tricky crossroads south off the A50 but the councils solution is now a yo-yoing speed limit, a plethora of ugly street furniture and cameras. Why is it these new reduced limits are always accompanied by cameras? Don't answer that one.

An article in Bike Magazine a year or two ago highlighted research that suggested unsuitable limits caused as many problems as they hoped to solve. We as drivers have an in-built judgement system - some are better than others hence speed limits - and our attention wonders or we loose patience when the limit on a road seems artifically low. Not so bad on short stretches, but for tens of miles? Has anyone charged with speeding ever challenged the imposed limit - made the council justify the change with hard facts? As the first post here notes you can object but the mechanism is effectively a rubber stamping exercise because the councils don't exactly have to over publicise proposals and anyway the next 'speeder' may live in another county despite being a regular user of the road and so know nothing about it until the signs go up. Doubtless most amended limits just drift though the process and the few objectors are asked why they have a problem with making the road safe?

Derbyshire seem quite keen on this 50mph and cameras thing. It's been a while since I used the Staverley to Worksop road but it's a 50 limit with several cameras, despite being pretty straight and passing through farm land with no major junctions, visable hazards, or houses fronting the road etc. Odd in itself but the instant you crossed the county line into Nottingham(?) it went NSL, no cameras and the road changes in character not one jot.

Looks like A515 is going to end up like the A523 Leek to Ashbourne -15 miles of 50mph with 12/13 cameras (well that's what I counted). It's the longest 15 miles in England.

Barkstar

_________________
The difference between intelligence and stupidity is that intelligence has limits.

Yeah, I encountered the A523 about six months ago while trying to avoid the traffic on the M6. Never again!!

It is the absolute a*sehole of all roads in the UK. The posted limit is 50, but you'll never even get anywhere near that because of all the artics driving along there nose to tail at 40.

That means no chance of overtaking without accruing points, even though if the cameras were disregarded there's plenty of safe oportunity!!!

Now what do those gantry signs say about 'frustration'?

_________________
If I have to explain you won't understand.

Here's a typical view on the A515 taken earlier today, showing just what a twisty, dangerous road it is:

_________________
"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

Might be sensible to put a 30mph speed limit for the junction then bacl to 60-70mph afterwards then?



They should consider having passing places both sides of the road for people to pull over and let the faster vehicle past. No doubt lorires wouldn't do that because they don't seem to care for slowing down and helping others past.

I do hope you are joking

_________________
"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

I do believe that junctions are where most accidents happen and many drivers don't slow down so that they can stop for the junction until the point they can see it to be clear and speed up.

I'm not in favour of blanket limits, but at a junction where many drivers don't slow down till they have comfirmed it's safe, a limit might actually help. Of course if all drivers slowed down anyway based on the braking of their car and the visibility at a junction, this wouldn't be needed.

I'd say at most, an advisory limit. Anything more especially in places like that would just make drivers focus on their speedos instead of what may/may not be happening in front.

Simply slowing down to 30 before each junction is not necessarily safe behaviour at all. It depends on the visibility of the junction and other traffic on the main road. The suggestion of a 30 limit at that or by implication every junction is , I'm sorry, absurd.

_________________
Richard Ceen
We live in a time where emotions and feelings count far more than the truth, and there is a vast ignorance of science (James Lovelock 2005)

The junction in the photo looks as if it should have good visibility (a wider angle shot would be needed to confirl this theory).

At places where junction existence is not obvious, such as just past a bend or just over an apex, there is magic in the word "SLOW" on the carriageway 150 feet or so from the hazard. Discerning motorists will then be covering the brake and extra vigilant. Less experienced motorists will, sensibly, be scrubbing 25% or more off their free -travelling speed (or therebouts, depending on what their instructor gave out as a mantra).

I have now been sent plans of the proposed speed limit changes. If anyone would like a copy (it's a 1 MB PDF) please send me your e-mail address via PM.

It seems that they are retaining a full half-mile of NSL where there is a climbing lane south of Ashbourne. How generous of them

_________________
"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

FFS - thought it was common sense to slow down to a sensible speed approaching a junction -or is that an old fashioned AND OUT OF DATE IDEA.(after all something might be in your line of travel)

But at least the clueless drivers will be going slower for the junction while more experienced can judge for themselves.

As with any number of rural roads the A515 has a miriad of side roads, some junctions with other classified roads, lots with unclass roads (like the one in the pic) and lots and lots of field entrances and farm tracks/entrances. The more major the junction the more white paint and signage. It would be impractical and plain silly to have the speed limit yo-yoing up and down on a just in case basis. Its the 'just in case' brigade that are cutting the limit to 50mph for 31 miles!!! I simply can't see the need for this limit, I've driven the road in all weathers and I wouldn't even judge it as needing any more respect than any other rural A road.

Lets not forget that you GIVE WAY when joining the major road. Though in the event of a collision a proportion of the blame can possibly be laid at the feet of the drive with the right of way, the onus is on the person emerging onto the major road. On the junction in the pic the view both ways is just like you see and a car emerging will be clearly visible - if we deemed it necessary to reduce the limit here than we really are back to needing a man with a red flag to proceed us.

BTW you must have just missed me in the pic Peter, I used the road last Saturday lunchtime.

Barkstar

_________________
The difference between intelligence and stupidity is that intelligence has limits.

PeterE - What reasons are being given for the changes?

Official statement of reasons:


Which is about as much use as a chocolate teapot

_________________
"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

'The proposals are more particularly delineated'

WTF???? Have these pen pushers never hear of the Plain English Society. So I take it the draft order lists recent endless carnage along the entire 31 miles all attributable directly to the nature of the road? And that it is clear will be alleviated by reducing the limits? Thought not.

From the statement you put up Peter I think I can put it far more succinctly
'We are because we can, so nuurrr'

Barkstar

_________________
The difference between intelligence and stupidity is that intelligence has limits.