Surrey County Council has announced plans to reduce the speed limit on some rural roads from 60mph to as low as 20mph, in what is thought to be a UK first pilot.
First reported by the Highways Magazine and covered by LocalGov.co.uk, the council says the pilot is an “important opportunity” to improve road safety.
The pilot area covers 80 square miles in the south of the county, from Guildford to Dorking.
It will see some roads reduced to 30mph limits and others 20mph – depending which is “most appropriate”.
Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and economy said: “This project is an important opportunity for us to improve the safety of our rural roads in the south and southwest of Surrey and ensure that the most appropriate speed limit is applied to each.
“Most rural roads in the area are still subject to the national speed limit of 60mph, which is inappropriate for these types of roads.
“Evidence suggests that implementing lower speed limits should reduce the number and severity of road collisions, whilst also helping to support our active travel programme, improve air quality, and address concerns over excessive vehicle noise.”
Surrey did not provide details of when the trial would begin at this stage.
Council over-reaction again. I wonder who they are trying to please.
I spent a couple of weeks last month driving round some unfamiliar narrow country lanes that had a 60mph national speed limit.
Any sensible driver drives at the most appropriate speed which means on blind bends with lots of over hanging vegetation it could be as little as 10mph (or less). Legislating rural lanes out of the 60mph NSL won’t solve a problem that is based on driver stupidity and pig ignorance. Seems like someone is ticking a policy box here.
Pat, Wales
+1
I use these roads quite regularly. There are very few de-restricted (60 mph) zones left owing to the extension of 30 and 40 mph limits, predominantly caused by housing developments.
However, I don’t think this scheme is really about road safety, it’s about noise and people that live on these roads not wanting vehicles passing by at all (and if so, at snail’s pace).
A “pilot” should have the duration and success criteria clearly laid out. But let’s face it, this isn’t a pilot, it’s the start of a speed reduction plan that will increase journey times and frustration for all involved.
Better to fix the potholes and improve public transport.
Charles Lennard, WOKING
+29
This is insane; country roads are some of the only places left to have fun jn this country and you want to take that away?
Good luck enforcing these limits lmao. You can’t even keep the motorway below 70 without avg speed cameras
Billy, Guildford
--9
> in what is thought to be a UK first pilot
Then I suspect they haven’t been to Northumberland.
David Weston, Newcastle upon Tyne
+4
Most roads will not be 20mph, just some of the narrowest lanes. Still seems sensible to remove the anomaly of 40mph/50mph on an A road but 60mph on an unclassified lane.
Adrian Berendt, TUNBRIDGE WELLS
+20