This blog has advocated a reduction in posted speed limits in town (but not elsewhere, where they're unjustified). Speeds are often inappropriate on our residential roads (e.g. through Erw Goch) and in town there are times when motorists also drive at inappropriate speeds. No matter the need, the chances of a reduction in limits over any of these sections is remote.
And don't get me started on motorcyclists or especially boy racers. Rhuthun/Ruthin's a small town and its "tight" residential pattern means a higher proportion of houses are on or near to a main road. For example, there are very few terraced properties away from a main road and even where the few exist—e.g. Prior Street—they're on boy racer touring routes. It's often very difficult to get away from such inconsiderate, loutish behaviour. Whether it be Well Street, Clwyd Street, Mwrog Strreet, Borthyn, there's little respite from the noise and nuisance these clots cause.
There've been on-off calls for lower posted speed limits outside Ysgol Brynhyfryd. The Welsh Government has always resisted this, because it's on a trunk road. We understand, however, there's been a change of heart and this spring or summer we can expect variable signage that will reduce the limit to 20 at school times. We don't disagree with a 20 mph outside Ysgol Brynhyfryd, it's just that:
That at Llandyrnog may well stand a chance of cutting speeds by a few mph. On the other hand, we do wonder whether that at Llanfair DC is set up to fail, because:
Meanwhile, Llandegla still has a couple of its "20's Plenty" sunflowers first installed in the summer of 2013. This was after the county council dismissed calls for a mandatory 20 mph limit on the grounds it was unenforceable. There were concerns about speeding traffic in the village. Buses were the focus of the campaign but, in truth, a bus driver would be hard pressed to manœuvre through the village, with its parked cars and narrow road, at anything more than 20.
There is obviously a perception that speeds are inappropriate in Llandegla, Llanfair and Llandyrnog. These are residential areas. The same is true on residential roads in Rhuthun itself. It's surely in these situations, where people live, where children play, where pedestrians walk & cross roads, that speeds need to be lower. This, then, is a civilising of the motor car that moves among us. Calls for reductions aren't made on a whim. Yet, the highways people will return with two arguments:
Regarding injuries, it's positive to note that there are few, if any, on residential estate roads. But that isn't the point. It's not just about safety, it's about humanising traffic and returning residential areas to streets in which people can actually live—and even the boy racers themselves must like somewhere. It's about recognising the importance and contribution of the car to our economy but, where necessary, controlling and restraining it.
And don't get me started on motorcyclists or especially boy racers. Rhuthun/Ruthin's a small town and its "tight" residential pattern means a higher proportion of houses are on or near to a main road. For example, there are very few terraced properties away from a main road and even where the few exist—e.g. Prior Street—they're on boy racer touring routes. It's often very difficult to get away from such inconsiderate, loutish behaviour. Whether it be Well Street, Clwyd Street, Mwrog Strreet, Borthyn, there's little respite from the noise and nuisance these clots cause.
There've been on-off calls for lower posted speed limits outside Ysgol Brynhyfryd. The Welsh Government has always resisted this, because it's on a trunk road. We understand, however, there's been a change of heart and this spring or summer we can expect variable signage that will reduce the limit to 20 at school times. We don't disagree with a 20 mph outside Ysgol Brynhyfryd, it's just that:
- Traffic when pupils come and leave already regulates itself at and
- The case is stronger, we feel, in town and on our estate distributor roads.
Llandyrnog's new advisory 20 mph zone
This spring, though, we've seen the area's first 20 mph signage, with two new zones, one at Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd and the other at Llandyrnog. Like on the A494 at Brynhyfryd, both the new schemes are associated with schools. Unlike Brynhyfryd, both will be "advisory" only, which means they are unenforceable. Time will tell whether they have an impact on speed reduction.
That at Llandyrnog may well stand a chance of cutting speeds by a few mph. On the other hand, we do wonder whether that at Llanfair DC is set up to fail, because:
- It's a very short length of road. By the time you're on it, you've almost passed through it.
- Motorists seem included to exceed 30, to be honest.
- Lower limits remain unenforceable and
- There is no evidence of any injuries.
Also new this spring: 40 mph cushion ahead of 30 mph zone at Gwyddelwern. The village itself might usefully be a mandatory 20
Regarding injuries, it's positive to note that there are few, if any, on residential estate roads. But that isn't the point. It's not just about safety, it's about humanising traffic and returning residential areas to streets in which people can actually live—and even the boy racers themselves must like somewhere. It's about recognising the importance and contribution of the car to our economy but, where necessary, controlling and restraining it.