20 is Plenty??

Eastleigh’s Liberal Democrat council has passed a motion to impose a permanent 20 mph speed limit “in priority roads around our schools,” and wonders why it hasn’t been rubber-stamped by Conservative-run Hampshire County Council.

The reason is that there are very stiff criteria for imposing 20 mph zones.  They need to be self-enforcing, thus requiring minimal police attention, so traffic calming measures have to be applied.  And these will normally consist of speed humps and pinch points, as speed limit repeater signs aren’t used within a zone.

For this reason, they aren’t usually suitable for main roads with high traffic volumes or strategic routes.  Vehicles travelling at 20 mph can significantly increase vehicle emissions and add to traffic congestion. 

The HCC website says that under current legislation any speed limit has to apply at all times, so it’s “usually unsuitable beyond the school arrival or departure times, when traffic is not delayed by the school activities, therefore not forced to slow down.”   Due to congestion around most school gates, however, it is very unusual for traffic to be able to do much more than 20mph, so any measures to reduce the speed limit would be completely redundant.

But the Conservatives have a better way.  In respect of schools situated on main roads, a 20 mph speed limit could be imposed when school patrol warning lights are flashing, thus avoiding the need for costly and disruptive traffic calming measures. 

However, neither council can impose the limit demanded by the Borough councillors, so it would require national legislation and it would only apply to schools where a demonstrable need could be shown.

20 mph zones with the requisite traffic calming would cost between £7,000 and £12,500 each, whereas flashing amber warning lights and signs would cost a mere £2,700.  A school crossing patrol zone would cost about an additional £1,800 per annum for salary and £260 for uniform and sign.

But there is yet another cheaper and more effective solution.  Hampshire County Council already has three portable flashing speed limit signs, which are placed for a limited time outside places like schools.  These are much more effective than permanent signs, which tend to be ignored, as they are unexpected, and cost £3,000. 

So our LibDem councillors once again haven't thought the policy through but fortunately we have a Conservative County Council.