REVIEW OF SPEED REDUCTION ON COUNTRY ROADS

[PeterNatt]

The government announced today 08 August 2006 (BBC Radio 4 news) that they are to review the speed limits on single and dual carridgeway country roads as at present there are many inconsistnancies with speed limits of up to 60 m.p.h. This review could have an impact on the safety of the many riders that use country roads and it is important that horse riders have an input in to this review.

If you have any A or B roads in your area where you would like to see the speed limit reduced in the interest of safety then please contact the access department of the BHS and advise them of the details of the road (a or b number and name (if it has a name), village/town and county by emailing access@bhs.org.uk

This review will give horse riders a real opportunity of having the speed limit on the roads they use or wish to use reduced to a safe limit.

 

[TGM]

Thanks for that Peter - there are several lanes round here that could do with having the speed limit reviewed so I will email the BHS.

 

[JM7]

Excellent post as always, peter!!!

saw this on the news today...so come on everybody..do your bit, and lets make our roads safer for us all!!!

 

[Thistle]

Why only A and B roads, the unclassified roads here in North Herts are a nightmare! I have been hit whilst leading a child on a pony on a minor road.

 

[Theresa_F]

Great news - some of our country roads are just not designed to be travelled at 60 - often I am more nervous on a country lane than a busy A road - at least they don't fly round corners into the back of you.

 

[eahotson]

Thanks for bringing this to everyones attention Peter.This review is long overdue although I expect the Clarksons of this world will howl.

 

[PeterNatt]

Regarding Thistle's comment: There is also the Quiet Road Scheme where local people can apply for the local authority to designate a specific length of road to be incorporated in to this scheme which allows for a 20 m.p.h speed limit. This is particularly relevant in areas where pedestrians, dog walkers, cyclists and horse riders use a strect or length of a road.

The Transport act 2000 gave new powers to local authorities enabling them to designate areas as "Quiet Lanes" where walkers, cyclists and horse-riders are given greater priority and speed limits reduced.

For further information on Quiet Lanes check out www.quiet-roads.gov.uk/site/index.htm or contact the CPRE (THe Council for the Protection of Rural England) Tel 020 7976 6433 www.cpre.org.uk Email info@cpre.org.uk

If you require further assistance then don't hesitate to contact me. peter.natt@btinternet.com

 

[spaniel]

We must get behind this and take action to lower these limits whilst we have the chance.

If the Government can see that a) its popular and b) road casualties diminish, maybe unclassified roads /lanes will be brought into the scheme too.

 

[Gingernags]

Excellent, I will certainly do that! The one we have to cross is a death trap, there have been fatalities but not riders (yet). Mainly young lads who think you can take multiple hairpins at 55-60 MPH when you really can't...

 

[mickey]

Thanks for the information. I have mailed the BHS about rural roads in East Kent. 60mph limits on unclassified rural roads are ridiculous.