A new 40mph speed limit is coming into force through Hale Common today (Friday) as part of the Department for Transport-funded Safer Roads Fund project – but questions remain about how the Council is going about implementing the scheme.
Speed limit changes are being made on the A3056 from its junction with Sandown Road, Lake, through to its junction with Blackwater Hollow, Newport, to ‘make the road safer’ for all users.
Today, the initial phase will see a 40mph speed limit imposed on the A3056 Hale Common, Arreton, between a point 155m south-east of Bathingbourne Lane and a point 185m north-west of Winford Road. This will replace the existing 50mph limit.
The changes are based on traffic management safety improvements recommended as a result of a route user risk review undertaken using the International Road Assessment Program (iRAP), which is promoted by the Department of Transport and Road Safety Foundation.
But questions are being asked about how the Isle of Wight Council is going about changing the limit. There has been no formal consultation on each limit change, and the 40mph limit now in place at Hale Common has been put in under a temporary traffic notice.
Island Echo asked the Isle of Wight Council for a statement on its use of a temporary, 18-month notice over a week ago, but no response has been forthcoming.
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Chair of the Economy, Regeneration, Transport and Infrastructure Committee, has said:
“The speed reductions intend to increase safety for all highway users. The evaluation has taken into consideration public consultation and speed, traffic and accident data held by our Highways team along with modes of travel and key traffic information.
Article continues below this advertisement “This is the first of a number of speed limit measures aimed at reducing accidents and will be welcomed by many,”
Additional speed limit changes are due to be implemented out over the coming months and into next year in the following areas:
- Arreton Street, Arreton – Pump Lane through to School Lane
- Newport Road, Lake – between its junction with Whitecross Lane and Manor Road
- Newport Road, Lake – running east of its junction with Scotchells Brook Lane
Arreton Street Arreton – west of the Arreton Barns access road through to the Blackwater Hollow area and including for an element of the northern extents of Merstone Lane
In addition to changes in speed limits, as part of the wider project, footway and accessibility improvements are also due to be implemented in areas along the route, such a footway provision at Hale Common. Dates for the additional improvements will be announced in due course.
Though it would not be popular with some, with the increased number of vehicles now on the road, perhaps it is time for the whole island to have a maximum 40 mph limit with a 20 mph limit through towns and villages like there is at Godshill?
Well I suggest you go live in Wales then
Wales and London have rules and their roads
are much safer.
The island are clueless when it comes to rules.
The island still allow numpties to park on pavements!
Hear, hear.
Yes and it’s a bloody nightmare keep going at 20MPH
One problem, numpties still speed.
Godshill and Brading High Street states 20mph
numpties ignore the rules.
Unless these streets and roads are policed 24/7
numpties will keep speeding.
We need London style cameras, that is the only
way to STOP speeding.
Too many numpties drive around the island with their
front number plate on the dashboard covered, so cameras
would struggle to read their plate.
Anyone not displaying their registration plate should
be fined heavily and banned for at least a year.
We need to get tough!
No problem with making the roads safer but what about the council doing something about the accident black spots ?? …How about lights at Betty Haunt lane /Whitehouse rd /forest rd junction or making Newport shute no left turn from the East ..to name but a few !!
Road safety is poor on the island.
I have noticed so many dangerous locations
it makes me wonder if the Council Highways
employees drive around with their eyes shut!,
or are shirking from home on full pay!
Very likely.