There's news that the Welsh government is urging local authorities to perform a 'sniff-test' to establish what seems right and not-so-right about the 20 mph zones we now have. Denbighshire and where appropriate the trunk roads people might wish to review the following. Remember that the minister involved has referred to roads with houses as being suitable for 20 mph.
These suggestions are based on existing post-implementation driver behaviour and, we hope, some common sense.
Making adjustments where possible will mean more people might then recognise appropriate 20 mph zones as A Good Thing. It's a reputation thing.
Immediately ahead of the 20 mph change, on the B5105 approaching Rhuthun
- The most flawed 20 mph area and therefore most urgent is the B5105 on the approach to Rhuthun/Ruthin on the Cerrig road in Llanfwrog rural. The previous 30 zone was a bad decision. It was a legacy of the late Elwyn Edwards. The 20 mph should at be as a minimum 30 mph to the corner at Galltegfa (the junction with the road to Clocaenog) and preferably to the former Olde Cross Keys. This whole stretch is hardly residential.
- The 20 mph limit on the A494 on Lôn Fawr is too far from the junction with Mwrog Street. Either leaving or entering Rhuthun, drivers rarely stick to it. It feels wrong.
- The 20 mph on the A525 from the highways depot on Lôn Parcwr to, say, Patchwork before Tesco could be 30 mph. Generous pavements both sides and this is not residential.
- The approach on the A494 from Llanbedr to Rhuthun is too soon and should be moved from its location at the bottom of the pitch to the top of it. Thereafter, 20 mph is sound, given the two schools flanking the A494.
- The approach to Rhuthun from Llanfair on the A525 is slightly too soon and could first be stepped to 30, then 20.
- Similarly, the approach to town along Castle Street is a smidgen too early.
- St Meugan’s/Maes y Llan Road see development on one side of the road only and could thus be 30 mph. There is even a case for suggesting this should be 30 all the way through Redrocks, as it used to be, because there is no development but the access to the footpath along Ysgol Brynhyfryd fields is used by children attending school. 20 mph might therefore start at the junction before that footpath.
If we need 20 mph, the following seem acceptable: Borthyn, lower Mwrog Street (in Llanfwrog urban, from the Olde Cross Keys into town), Park Road, Wernfechan, Greenfield Road, Erw Goch and Llanfair Road.
Out of town and impacting upon us as we travel, might we suggest for review:
- The 20 mph zone on the A525 at Pentre Llanrhaeadr is too early.
- The Myddelton Park roundabout on the A525 at lower Dinbych should not be 20 mph.
- The speed limit at the entrance to and exit from Denbigh Green needs consideration. The lead in is too long.
- The 20 mph zone at both ends at Llanfair are too spread out. The new housing at the Rhuthun end is not directly on the main road and therefore need not be 20 mph. The exit at the other end is too distant from development which, in any acse, is on one side of the road only and therefore could conceivably even be 40.
- Given that there is no housing along part of the Llanbedr 20 mph, this should be returned to 30 mph.
- The approach from Rhuthun on the A494 through Gwyddelwern is already at 40 mph and at the 20 mph point could initially step down to 30, before resuming 20 mph in the village itself.
May we also suggest some other reviews of speed limits.
- The 30 zone beyond Llanbedr is long and tedious. It's a long stretch that motorists rarely comply with. There's no development on either side. Should this be returned to the national speed limit or, at worst, 40 mph?
- The A525 Nant y Garth exit (away from Rhuthun) sees 40 mph signs way too early. These should be placed on the corner, which is a natural point at which motorists slow (towards Rhuthun) or accelerate (if towards Llandegla).