A19 speed limit compromise that no one asked for (From York Press)
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50mph speed limit to be introduced on the A19 at Deighton
7:42am Saturday 17th November 2012 in News
By Mark Stead, Political Reporter
TRANSPORT bosses are set to introduce a new 50mph speed limit on a busy road near York – despite neither residents nor police wanting it.
Deighton villagers have called for the stretch of the A19 which runs through their community – currently a 60mph zone – to be reduced to 40mph, claiming it is the only way to prevent future accidents.
But City of York Council’s cabinet member for transport issues, Coun Dave Merrett, will be asked on Monday to agree a compromise solution which would see the section of the route become a 50mph zone instead – although North Yorkshire Police say the existing speed limit should not be lowered at all.
The 40mph campaign, including a petition signed by almost every Deighton resident, intensified following the April death of 18-year-old Rosie Jean Missett, of Leeds, who was hit by a vehicle near the White Swan pub shortly after getting off a bus.
However, the council said the road did not meet Government guidelines for a 40mph limit and so proposed a 50mph limit instead.
A report by traffic engineer Philip Irwin said cutting the limit to 40mph “would not have the desired effect in slowing traffic”, and although the proposed scheme was “not ideal”, street lighting and work on the road surface could slow traffic down.
The cost is expected to be £30,000, with another possibility being a 40mph limit on the stretch of road between the village signs at either end of Deighton, possibly with 50mph “buffer zones” either side.
Objecting to any speed limit changes in a representation to the council, North Yorkshire Police said speed had not been a factor in any of the ten recorded “injury accidents” in the area over the last three years.
The force said its data showed there was “no issue” with speed and safety problems were more associated with traffic volumes, but a 50mph limit would “achieve nothing tangible” and could even make the road less safe.
Deighton residents said in their objections to the proposed 50mph limit that “common sense” should take priority over Government guidelines, adding: “What we are asking for is that our basic safety needs be treated like all other traffic-challenged communities in and around York – most, if not all, enjoy the 40mph protection we are denied.”
Comments(13)
Mr Udigawa
says...
11:09am Sat 17 Nov 12
Sawday2 wrote:Don't make me laugh, if you can't stick to a speed limit without losing attention you really shouldn't be on the road.How would you feel if you had a son or daughter who needed to cross this road on a daily basis?
Being hit at 50 is much the same as being hit at 40. What is it with these people? Roads are clearly marked with curbs, white lines, signs etc. They are primarily for cars, or rather people travelling in cars. Constantly changing speed limits creates problems and reduces safety as drivers' attention is on their speedometer and trying to remember what the current limit is on their bit of road, rather than keeping a look out for obstacles on the road.
It should have been reduced to 40 between the village signs as suggested.
Stevie D
says...
12:03pm Sat 17 Nov 12
bob the builder
says...
12:47pm Sat 17 Nov 12
York1900
says...
1:24pm Sat 17 Nov 12
roskoboskovic
says...
3:26pm Sat 17 Nov 12
Sawday2
says...
3:42pm Sat 17 Nov 12
Mr Udigawa wrote:Did you not read my first sentence.
Sawday2 wrote:Don't make me laugh, if you can't stick to a speed limit without losing attention you really shouldn't be on the road.How would you feel if you had a son or daughter who needed to cross this road on a daily basis?
Being hit at 50 is much the same as being hit at 40. What is it with these people? Roads are clearly marked with curbs, white lines, signs etc. They are primarily for cars, or rather people travelling in cars. Constantly changing speed limits creates problems and reduces safety as drivers' attention is on their speedometer and trying to remember what the current limit is on their bit of road, rather than keeping a look out for obstacles on the road.
It should have been reduced to 40 between the village signs as suggested.
Try reading the rest. Sticking to a speed limit is a lot easier when it doesn't change every hundred yards or so. Driven along the A1079 recently?
Mr Udigawa
says...
5:17pm Sat 17 Nov 12
To be fair though I am making an assumption.
Sawday2
says...
6:44pm Sat 17 Nov 12
Mr Udigawa wrote:Go buy a red flag.
Seriously if you can't drive in changeable conditions it's a miracle you passed your test.
To be fair though I am making an assumption.
Tom6187
says...
8:14pm Sat 17 Nov 12
Mr Udigawa
says...
11:04am Sun 18 Nov 12
Sawday2 wrote:You just stick to trying to concentrate on those confusing signs, and see if you can adjust your speed accordingly whilst also remaining aware of what's going on around you. It's difficult, but once you've mastered the above skills you should be ready for your first trip out onto a real road.
Mr Udigawa wrote:Go buy a red flag.
Seriously if you can't drive in changeable conditions it's a miracle you passed your test.
To be fair though I am making an assumption.
Until then I'd just stick to the PS3.
MadRob360
says...
4:20pm Sun 18 Nov 12
dweezil
says...
1:47am Mon 19 Nov 12
Sawday2 says...
10:51am Sat 17 Nov 12