I am not one who thinks there should be a free for all on our roads. So, when it comes to speed, I support the part-time 20mph limit outside Ysgol Brynhyfryd. Indeed, I would welcome a 20mph zone across all of town, all of the time, if only that were a possibility. Likewise, in our housing estates.
Where I am at odds with the traffic engineers is the imposition of limits that are unnecessary or are likely to prove unenforceable. I therefore find myself disagreeing strongly with the prospect of the extension of the 30mph zone to include the current 40mph zone at Llanbedr, on the A494. Where is the common sense?
First, reducing the speed to 30mph at Tan yr Unto won't reduce accidents. People have to slow down for the bends in any case. As they descend, they will likely ignore the 30mph signs and brake at the bend itself. You simply cannot take the bend at the posted 40, let alone the proposed 30.
Secondly, travelling in the Yr Wyddgrug/Mold direction and only heavy vehicles stick to the limit—because they can't get up to it on the hill. Everyone else ignores the posted 40mph. What chance is there they will reduce to 30?
Especially in leaving Llanbedr, 30mph just doesn't fit the road. There's nothing in the local environment that remotely suggests 30. It's inherently too slow. Motorists will see it as such and, again, there's little realistic chance they will stick to 30. It's currently a good location for overtaking slow moving traffic after being stuck behind a wagon since The Smithy.
I wonder, though, whether this is some sort of kidology on the part of the government. No one bothers with 40 because it doesn't "feel" right. Post a new speed at 30 and it may encourage people to stick to 40. Or is that the cynic coming out in me?
Or, is this some sort of prelude to getting through a Llanbedr bypass? Now, that really would be a conspiracy theory.
Other lengths of road locally ill-posted are:
The extent of the new 30mph zone. What would make this so much more palatable would be retaining the existing 40mph section from Lôn y Mynydd in a SE direction to the current national speed limit, indicated by I/To on the plan
Where I am at odds with the traffic engineers is the imposition of limits that are unnecessary or are likely to prove unenforceable. I therefore find myself disagreeing strongly with the prospect of the extension of the 30mph zone to include the current 40mph zone at Llanbedr, on the A494. Where is the common sense?
First, reducing the speed to 30mph at Tan yr Unto won't reduce accidents. People have to slow down for the bends in any case. As they descend, they will likely ignore the 30mph signs and brake at the bend itself. You simply cannot take the bend at the posted 40, let alone the proposed 30.
Secondly, travelling in the Yr Wyddgrug/Mold direction and only heavy vehicles stick to the limit—because they can't get up to it on the hill. Everyone else ignores the posted 40mph. What chance is there they will reduce to 30?
Especially in leaving Llanbedr, 30mph just doesn't fit the road. There's nothing in the local environment that remotely suggests 30. It's inherently too slow. Motorists will see it as such and, again, there's little realistic chance they will stick to 30. It's currently a good location for overtaking slow moving traffic after being stuck behind a wagon since The Smithy.
I wonder, though, whether this is some sort of kidology on the part of the government. No one bothers with 40 because it doesn't "feel" right. Post a new speed at 30 and it may encourage people to stick to 40. Or is that the cynic coming out in me?
Or, is this some sort of prelude to getting through a Llanbedr bypass? Now, that really would be a conspiracy theory.
Other lengths of road locally ill-posted are:
- Llandegla. I am probably the only person who sticks to the newish 40mph limit through Llandegla: by abiding by the law, it allows everyone else to overtake me at more realistic speeds (it has to be said, at more realistic speeds). Frustration rules.
- Gwynfryn. The 30mph section of the Ruthin and Minera Old Roads near Gwynfryn is fine at the bends but extending it in the Rhuthun/Ruthin direction to Lôn Cae Adar results in frustration and, again, overtaking.
- Llanrhaeadr. The newish section of 40mph running north of Llanrhaeadr where the schools seems to have been instrumental in a review yet the school is set back well away from its junction with the A525. Here, going north, is a clear view ahead and, what happens? You guessed it. When there's no on-coming traffic, everyone simply overtakes.
Tags:
Traffic