Safe Speed Forums

I note from today's "Cumberland News" that the council intends to reduce the speed limit on the A6 between Carleton and Jct 42 of the M6 from NSL to 50mph (including the short DC section apparently), as well as creating a right-turn lane for Carlisle-bound traffic at the BP garage.

While I agree that this stretch has a poor accident history I'f question the logic of enforcing a lower limit if they're going to create a right-turn lane for the garage as they're effectively reducing the main accident hazard of people sitting stationary waiting to turn off into the garage by creating this refuge lane. I suppose at least they're only reducing the limit to 50mph which is better than on the A689 at Houghton where they created right-turn lanes and reduced the limit to an absurd 40mph, but I fail to see how the 50mph limit will significantly reduce the accident risk there. They already enjoy enforcing the 30mph limit closer into town (where it used to be 40mph) so we should expect this new limit to be similarly enforced I suppose.

It's immensely depressing to me that, while worthwhile road layout improvements are being put in place, these unnecessary speed limit reductions are also introduced.

Sam.

Ah, a classic tactic of the idiot council speed limit lowerer. Lower the limit (often with a camera for good measure) and simultaneously put in a real safety improvement. Hey presto, accidents go down, and the lower speed limit is given the credit.

I'm sure CSCP must have a wish list of limits on busy roads which they want to lower to (more) unreasonable levels. They've got the 85th percentile speeds and no doubt the target is to get the limits as far below them as possible.

When are people going to decide that enough is enough? They'll have to at some point because the tide of ratcheting down is showing no sign of abating.