Speed limit cut is likely
Apr 21 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal
THE speed limit through a County Durham village is likely be cut in a bid to improve road safety – although police say the restriction would be hard to enforce.
Members of Durham County Council’s highways committee are being asked to agree to a reduction in the speed limit on the A688 through Evenwood Gate between West Auckland and Barnard Castle.
If the proposed new Traffic Regulation Order is agreed, it would mean the limit would be cut from 60mph to 40mph.
The recommendation comes after the Government revised national guidelines regarding speed limits, which enabled the county council to take a fresh look at the speed limit on the county’s roads.
Roger Elphick, acting corporate director of environment at Durham County Council, said: “Speed counts on the A688 at Evenwood Gate have shown that the majority of vehicles travel at speeds of between 45.6mph and 53.7mph.
“These speeds are considered to be excessive and against the interests of road safety.
“This reduction in the speed limit should improve road safety and may reduce the risk of a speed-related traffic accident occurring.”
Consultation on the proposal began in December and resulted in no objections from local residents at Evenwood Gate but one from Durham Constabulary, which said the limit would be difficult to enforce.
Residents in the villages of Chester Moor and Plawsworth, between Durham and Chester-le-Street, recently fought to have the limit on the A167 through their villages cut from 70mph to 50mph, again despite police objections.
If the committee agrees the recommendation when it meets on Wednesday, extra signs warning drivers to slow down as they approach the village and the 40mph zone will be erected.
Improvements to existing traffic islands and a new pedestrian refuge would also be put in place. A monitoring period would be set up to determine the impact of the new measures.
Local county councillor John Priestley said: “A speed reduction is long overdue and I most certainly welcome it. Luckily there have been no fatal accidents on that stretch of road, but there have been a number of very serious ones.
“I am surprised that the police objected to the limit, but when it comes into being I am sure they will enforce it.”
