West: Speed limits

Esmond Holden
Politics Show West

In 2002 Somerset County Council introduced reduced speed limits in and around dozens of villages in an attempt to make them safer but their efforts have been widely criticised.

Claims that cameras are making the roads more dangerous

Many people have complained the policy has not been properly thought through and is even making the roads more dangerous.

The council has introduced around 40 schemes to slow traffic through Somerset villages.

Thirty mile an hour speed limits with 40 mph buffer zones.

Around 500 warning signs have sprouted along the roadside. At £150 each it is an expensive scheme.

Nick Pearson, driving instructor, is unhappy with the speed limits

Nick Pearson is a driving instructor in Somerset. His livelihood depends on sticking to the speed limits.

If he gets any points he loses his job. He is not impressed with the latest speed limits.

"There are more people tailgating, there is more aggressive driving and overtaking in dangerous places.

"It is a result of the speed limits. People are driving faster because they don't like being tailgated and because they don't consider the speed limit necessary".

He says one of the most contentious issues are the 20 mph speed limits outside all schools.

"In the summer holidays or late at night, when the kids aren't there, does the limit need to be 20mph?"

Variable speed limits?

People are suggesting Somerset follows Plymouth's example of variable limits outside schools.

While complying with these limits, someone is on my tail wanting to go faster Andrew Tucker

Andrew Tucker is another who thinks the scheme has been introduced without enough thought.

He is one of many who have written letters to the local papers.

"Virtually every journey I make while trying to comply with these limits, someone is on my tail and they want to go faster.

"One driver went the wrong way round some traffic islands to overtake me".

My postbag has groaned with complaints ever since this madness started Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP

And Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger was scathing during a Westminster Hall debate.

"My postbag has been groaning with complaints ever since this madness started".

The parishes came to us saying we're desperate about speeding vehicles

The county council says the death toll on Somerset's roads has fallen since the speed limits were introduced and according to Councillor Tim Carrol the executive member for transport, many people in many villages had benefited.

"It wasn't us imposing these speed limits. It was the parishes who came to us and said we're desperate about speeding vehicles, can you do something.

"We had about 250 requests from communities. They say it is affecting their quality of life"

The consultation period has just closed and the county council says they will take people's views into account and will alter things where they need to but essentially they are happy with their speed management policy.

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