Put the brake on speed ruling (From Gazette Series)

Put the brake on speed ruling

SIR - My information is different from that of John Barker (Gazette, December 12).

South Gloucestershire Council's legal services have told me that executive councillor Pat Hockey has not been overruled. Far from it: she has decided to impose different speed limits on lengths of the B4509 and adjoining roads contrary to the advice of her professional officers and the police.

The police advised that "the proposed 40mph speed limit from Tortworth Green to Falfield is unrealistically low" and "there will be a high level of non-compliance as drivers will travel at a speed they perceive as safe, irrespective of the speed limit".

Officers were concerned about those same points and pointed out that "It has been shown elsewhere in South Gloucestershire that 85th percentile speeds have actually decreased where a realistic limit has replace an unrealistic limit, eg A38 at Falfield". Officers recommended a 50mph limit throughout.

The police have also said that they are not able to guarantee any level of enforcement of the new 40mph limit.

I have asked for the reason why Pat Hockey decided to override professional advice and to impose a speed limit that is unlikely to be enforced. Pending those reasons, her decision appears perverse.

I agree with John Barker that the excess of signs and speed limits has brought the law, councils and councillors into disrepute. It is just two miles from my house to The Chipping in Wotton-under-Edge. There is a succession of speed limits: 30, 50, 40, 50, 30, 20 mph.

As a former highway engineer, I am convinced that this complexity is not justified. Gloucestershire county councillors (in this case) should be ashamed of themselves.

John E Acton New Street Charfield