Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee recommends Cabinet approve of the revised process to deliver the final phase of the review of speed limit orders on all of the Council’s highway network; and

(b)       That the Committee recommends Cabinet approve the proposed changes to the process which will be adopted for any future revisions of highway speed limit orders.

The Highways Strategy Manager introduced a report on the proposed approach for the final stage of the review of speed limits on the Council’s classified highway network, which would address the historic anomalies within the existing speed limit orders on all other routes on the highway network.

It was reported that 36 of the 37 recommendations from Phase 1 of the review had been successfully delivered, with one Order due to be in place by the end of the month.  Explanation was given on the range of complications which had contributed to the time taken on the review and the aim to put all speed limit Orders, both past and present, within a single consolidated Order identifying all speed limits across the county.  Members were shown examples of the mapping information which would be uploaded to the website.  A five year programme would be developed to review all existing speed limits for the remainder of the highway network and to prioritise routes using the matrix system.  Further proposals were detailed in the report to help improve the process and save on time.  The Chief Officer (Streetscene & Transportation) said that the proposed approach would help to address the frustrations raised by Members on previous occasions.  He said that there was a high number of objectors in the county and that whilst the individuals had genuine concerns about flaws in the Orders, this impacted on the workload of the team.

Councillor Bernie Attridge spoke about the level of work undertaken and the need to allow time to review each speed limit Order.

In acknowledging the complexities of this work, Councillor Paul Shotton thanked the officers for the report and asked about funding for the mapping exercise for existing speed limits.  It was explained that the internal technical team would undertake this work.

Councillor Ian Dunbar questioned the rationale for applying different speed limits along a straight stretch of road.  The Manager said that this was dependant on the nature of the carriageway along with the legislative criteria.

Councillor Hilary McGuill asked the review of high-risk routes involving varying speed limits where fatal accidents had occurred, for example on the Mold to Denbigh road.  The Manager explained that each road would be risk assessed through the matrix, taking account of a number of factors such as the number of accidents, vulnerable users etc.  In response to further questions, Town and Community Councils would be notified of the consolidated Order which would be subject to the statutory consultation process open to all UK residents.  In respect of advisory speed limits outside schools, these were unlikely to be mapped but would be identified by colour.  Councillor Attridge said that a bid for funding was being explored to increase the number of statutory speed limits outside schools in the county.

Following comments by Councillor Cindy Hinds, the Manager spoke about the Council’s duty to consider any formal objections raised.

Councillor Mike Peers welcomed the work done by the Cabinet Member and raised a number of queries.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31