Agenda item

Report of the Director of Transportation and Highways

The Cabinet Member considered a report and received a presentation of the Director of Transportation and Highways concerning one objection that had been received to a Traffic Regulation Order advertised on 21 January 2021 proposing to reduce the speed limit on London Road from 40mph to 30mph on that section from Allard Way to its junction with A45, Toll Bar Island to improve road safety. Along with the objection, 4 e-mails in support of the proposal had also been received. A location plan and a summary of the objection and the responses to the issued raised were set out in appendices to the report. As the meeting was being held remotely, in line with the revised government regulations, the respondents were offered the opportunity to submit any additional comments in writing in response to the report. The objector had been provided with additional information on watching the live stream meeting. Councillor Bailey, a Cheylesmore Ward Councillor, attended the meeting and outlined his support for the proposal.

The report indicated that the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) proposed to reduce the speed limit on London Road from 40mph to 30mph on that section from a point 9 metres south east of its junction with Allard Way to its junction with A45 (Toll Bar Island).  The objective was to make this section of London Road safer for all road users.

The Cabinet Member was informed that the speed limit on the rest of London Road, apart from on a short length in the vicinity of the Ring Road, was reduced from 40mph to 30mph on 9th March 2020. Making all of London Road the same speed limit would ensure consistency and improve road safety for its entire length. The reduction in speed limit was in response to historical and recent road safety concerns from residents and local Councillors associated with difficulties experienced by vulnerable road users, and in particular pedestrians attempting to cross London Road. Large sections of London Road from its junction of Allard Way to its junction with St James Lane had four running lanes (two lanes in each direction) and this made it difficult for pedestrians who tried to cross the road with the current speed limit of 40mph.

Reducing the speed limit to 30mph would ensure vulnerable road users such as pedestrians (including elderly pedestrians) could manoeuvre across London Road more safely. The existing Average Speed Enforcement Cameras would be re-calibrated to optimise speed compliance. Crossing a road with a 30mph speed limit was significantly safer for pedestrians than crossing a road with a 40mph speed limit.  A lower speed limit, therefore lower traffic speeds, resulted in additional time for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users cross a road, collision severity was also a factor of speed. However, it was noted that pedestrian should always find a safe place to cross. 

The objection received highlighted numerous concerns including, the existing speed limit (40mph) was currently enforced by average speed cameras and therefore why was it is necessary to legally change the speed limit to 30mph.  In addition, the objection stated that by reducing the speed limit, more drivers would get a fine or points on their licence.

It was recommended that the order be made as advertised because of the road characteristics and road safety hazards associated with vulnerable road users manoeuvring across four lanes of traffic (two lanes in each direction) on a 40mph speed limit road. In addition, junctions and accesses significantly increased the road safety risks on 40mph speed limit roads and there were a number these along London Road. A speed limit reduction would make this section of London Road safer for all road users and provide a consistent speed limit on the entire length of London Road.

 RESOLVED that, having considered the objection to the proposed 30mph speed limit, the implementation of the City of Coventry (London Road) (40mph Speed Limit & Revocation) be approved.