The issue of speed limit assessments was raised and discussed at Overview & Scrutiny Management Committee on 15 November 2023 and was referred to the Environment Select Committee. The Committee will receive a verbal update regarding speed limit assessments.
Minutes:
Councillor Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, Street Scene, and Flooding, alongside Samantha Howell, Director of Highways and Transport, presented a verbal update regarding speed limit assessments as a result of a referral from the Overview & Scrutiny Management Committee meeting held on 15 November 2023.
It was noted that officers along with the Cllr Thomas, had been reviewing speed limit assessments with regard to the gap between public perception and public understanding of the process. Within this review, speed limit assessment reports had been compared with the Department of Transport (DfT) guidelines on a wider basis which had identified areas of improvement.
Officers emphasised that road safety was a priority within Wiltshire Council and the speed limit assessment process was one of the tools available under the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership to ensure that any incidents on the network were reducing. Reference was made to the DfT Circular 01/2006 which the Council adhered to from 2009, however it was highlighted that this was superseded in 2013, and Wiltshire Council had endorsed the subsequent DfT approach for setting local speed limits since. One of the key changes of the most recent guidance was the ability to consider introducing 20 mph speed limits and zones in urban areas, therefore officers had evaluated all A and B roads within Wiltshire to determine appropriate speed restrictions and to ensure consistency across the network.
Officers confirmed that the relevant policies were all regularly reviewed, and it was highlighted that out of the 47 speed limit requests received in 2023, 25 had resulted in a change to the speed limit and 12 had not being recommended for a variety of reasons. Further recent changes were noted as including greater weight being paid to local concerns and improving report templates to highlight where these had been considered. Officers had also focussed on improving engagement with residents, and colleagues with Wiltshire Police in circumstances where there was a choice of appropriate speed limits, but where officers felt that drivers would not respect a speed limit reduction. Furthermore, officers had received assurance from Wiltshire Police as to their ability to enforce any implemented reductions, and it was highlighted that they were also statutory consultees when undertaking Traffic Regulation Orders.
Finally, officers noted that there were a number of ongoing pilot initiatives, and that the Council was in a better position with partners at National Highways in terms of assessing data relating to the strategic road network. It was stated that officers were intending to provide an update to the Committee in September 2024 with a set of recommendations.
During the discussion, points included:
· Members expressed concerns when considering vulnerable road users such as children walking to school, active travel routes, and increased traffic passing through village communities, and queried how much consideration was given to these aspects when undertaking any assessments. In response, it was highlighted that it was key that officers worked with schools through the travel planning process but noted that wider solutions would also be taken into account. Officers also explained that Atkins were responsible for part of the process and that it was ultimately officers who made the evidence-led recommendations on speed limit assessments. Therefore, it was emphasised that officers were looking to increase the robustness of the process by improving education, engineering solutions, and undertaking appropriate enforcements where necessary.
· Community perception in the system was raised and it was noted that Members did not feel as if the current process addressed the dissatisfaction in the system’s delivery and risks that large communities in Wiltshire perceived. Furthermore, Members noted that the engagement and relationship between officers, Local Highway and Footway Improvement Groups (LHFIGs), Parish Councils and residents needed to improve. Officers reiterated that bettering communications and engagement with residents was a key priority within the review.
· Disparity between different neighbouring authorities’ approaches and interpretations of the guidance was noted and officers confirmed that as part of the review, there were ongoing discussions between the relevant authorities’ officers to ensure greater consistency and improvements across the network.
· Members suggested that further deterrents could be utilised when combating motorists who did not adhere to speed limits.
· Officers highlighted that the Council was moving to a Safer Systems approach which comprised of 5 pillars of action around road safety with the speed limit assessments forming a part of the process. Furthermore, pilot schemes were being introduced which would enable officers to gather further evidence and understanding of the actions needed to promote road safety.
· Cllr Thomas highlighted that she was confident in the officers’ ability to undertake a rigorous review and to develop appropriate ways forward.
· Finally, Members suggested that a Task Group be formed to assist with, and scrutinise, the review process.
At the end of the discussion, it was then:
Resolved:
1) The Committee noted the update.
2) The Committee agreed to set up a Task Group to look at Speed Limit Assessments.