Issue - meetings

Gole Road, Gapemouth Road, Mytchett Place Road and Grange Road (collectively referred to as the Pirbright bends) have suffered a history of road collisions. It is proposed that the existing speed limits on these roads (consisting of either 30mph, 40mph, and national speed limit) are consolidated to a consistent 40mph to enable an average speed camera system to be introduced.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

The Joint Committee (Guildford):

(i)    Agreed that, based upon the evidence, the speed limit be changed to 40mph in the section of the B3012 Gapemouth Road and D3455 Mytchett Place Road that are currently subject to a 30mph speed limit.

(ii)   Agreed that, based upon the evidence, the national speed limit in the B3405 Grange Road and Stanley Hill be reduced to 40mph.

(iii)  Agreed that, based upon the evidence, the start of the 30mph speed limit in Mytchett Place Road is moved from its current location (in Guildford) to a new location (in Surrey Heath) to include the bend at the Keogh Barracks access.

(iv)  Authorised delegation of authority to the Area Highway Manager (or equivalent officer under the Scheme of Delegation) in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee, and the local divisional member to resolve any objections received in connection with the proposals described above.

(v)   Noted that an average speed camera system will be installed to enforce the 40mph speed limit.

(vi)  Noted that bend warning sign improvements will be installed to complement the average speed camera system.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS:

A consistent 40mph speed limit will allow the introduction of average speed cameras which will help to reduce traffic speeds and therefore reduce risk and severity of collisions on the Pirbright Bends, where there has been a history of collisions including death and serious injury.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officer attending: Duncan Knox, Road Safety & Sustainable School Travel Team Manager, Surrey County Council

Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None

Member Discussion – key points:

The SCC officer introduced his report, stressing the high number of traffic accidents that have occurred on the roads in question.

The local Divisional member welcomed the report and its recommendations, thanking the officer and his team for the work involved. It was noted that the scheme crosses the border into Surrey Heath as well, for a short section of road.

In response to comments about the funding for this scheme, which came from Section 106 funding and the Drive SMART Partnership, the officer stated that the SCC cabinet had recently agreed a new policy on speed cameras that would cover areas with a history of speed-related incidents and also areas of community concern to tackle the nuisance effect of speeding traffic. The number of schemes developed would depend on the level of funding that could be achieved.

Resolved:

The Joint Committee (Guildford):

(i)    Agreed that, based upon the evidence, the speed limit be changed to 40mph in the section of the B3012 Gapemouth Road and D3455 Mytchett Place Road that are currently subject to a 30mph speed limit.

(ii)   Agreed that, based upon the evidence, the national speed limit in the B3405 Grange Road and Stanley Hill be reduced to 40mph.

(iii)  Agreed that, based upon the evidence, the start of the 30mph speed limit in Mytchett Place Road is moved from its current location (in Guildford) to a new location (in Surrey Heath) to include the bend at the Keogh Barracks access.

(iv)  Authorised delegation of authority to the Area Highway Manager (or equivalent officer under the Scheme of Delegation) in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee, and the local divisional member to resolve any objections received in connection with the proposals described above.

(v)   Noted that an average speed camera system will be installed to enforce the 40mph speed limit.

(vi)  Noted that bend warning sign improvements will be installed to complement the average speed camera system.

Reasons for recommendations:

A consistent 40mph speed limit will allow the introduction of average speed cameras which will help to reduce traffic speeds and therefore reduce risk and severity of collisions on the Pirbright Bends, where there has been a history of collisions including death and serious injury.