Agenda item

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) concerning objections received to the City of Coventry (London Road) (40mph Speed Limit Revocation) Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). The objectors were invited to attend the meeting for consideration of the matter and one objector and also Councillor Bailey, a Cheylesmore Ward Councillor, and Councillor Brown attended and spoke on the proposal.

The report indicated that speed limits were reviewed within Coventry on a regular basis. The primary reason for evaluating speeds limits and speed limit changes were predominantly related to making roads safer for all road users.

On 28th November 2019, a TRO was advertised proposing to reduce the speed limit on London Road from 40mph to 30mph (from Allard Way to the approach to the ring road) to improve road safety. The reduction in speed limit would also assist to improve the safety of the proposed toucan crossing to be located on London Road near the access to Charterhouse. In addition, the Allard Way and Humber Road approaches (and exit) to the roundabout junction with London Road would also be reduced from 40mph to 30mph.

Three objections and three letters of support for the proposed speed limit reduction were received. In accordance with the City Council's procedure for dealing with objections to TROs, they are reported to the Cabinet Member for City Services, for a decision as to how to proceed.

The cost of introducing the proposed TRO, if approved, would be funded from the Highways Maintenance and Investment Capital Programme budget through the Local Transport Plan.

Three letters received in support of the speed limit reduction included comments ‘completely agree on doing this with or without the pedestrian crossing facility’ and the speed limit reduction will ‘stop these idiots who continue to drive too fast with no consideration for anyone else’. Other comments received in support of the speed limit reduction include ‘many road users drive at excessive and dangerous speeds’ on London Road.

Three objections were received and highlighted numerous concerns including the speed limit reduction was ‘bad for the environment with emissions increasing due to the non-smooth traffic flow’ and the speed limit reduction could result in an ‘increase in accidents as people slow down so quickly at point of speed reduction’. Other comments objecting to the speed limit reduction included this contributing to an increase in ‘congestion and pollution’ on London Road. A further comment related to many and in places, the majority, of drivers ignoring low speed limits.

Two late comments had been received from Councillor Bailey, relating to various speed limit options that could be considered on specific parts of the London Road, concluding that the whole road would benefit from a reduced speed limit of 30mph.

Councillor Bailey indicated that he had been contacted by a number of residents about this issue. He referred to the positive effect reducing the speed limit would have, not only for safety, but also for the environment in that it would encourage traffic flow and minimise idling traffic.

Councillor Brown indicated his support for a speed reduction on the London Road and endorsed the proposal which he confirmed would improve safety for vehicles and pedestrians and keeps traffic moving.

Mr Lowe, a Whitley resident, thanked Elected Members for representing the residents of Whitley and their work to address issues and improve the area. He further thanked officers for their work and the good working relationship established with resident’s groups in the area.

Having considered the report and the comments made by the objectors, supporting representatives and the Traffic Management Officer who presented the report, the Cabinet Member noted that  the road characteristics and forthcoming amenities would attract non-motorised users including pedestrians and cyclists (Toucan Crossing Facility). London Road comprised a series of long straights, and this could increase the likelihood of excessive vehicular speeds, as drivers tended to look at where they were going and not what was immediately in front of them, a phenomenon often referred to as ‘tunnel vision’.  There were a number of junctions along London Road that included adjacent roads, frontal developments and houses. Junctions and accesses significantly increased the road safety risks of inappropriate vehicular speeds. An existing pedestrian crossing facility was located on London Road near Riverside Close to accommodate school children, pedestrians and other vulnerable footway users, crossing flows to the superstore. A proposed Toucan Crossing facility was also proposed close to the Charterhouse project. A speed limit reduction would make this section of London Road safer for all road users. The Cabinet Member therefore agreed that the implementation of the City of Coventry (London Road) (40mph Speed Limit Revocation) Order 2019 be approved.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for City Services:

1)  Considered the objections to the 30mph speed limit reduction.

2)  Subject to recommendation 1) above, approves the implementation of the City of Coventry (London Road) (40mph Speed Limit Revocation) Order 2019.