20mph speed limit outside all schools

20mph road sign

Proposals to introduce 20 miles per hour speed limits and zones outside all schools in the borough that don’t already have them have been approved.
 
In October 2009 a decision was made at a meeting of full council to introduce a 20mph speed limit on all roads outside schools in the borough, out of 81 schools in the borough there are 36 with 20mph speed zones, with a another 2 due for completion.
 
This leaves 43 schools located either in residential areas or fronting classified roads.
 
To implement 20mph outside all schools the type of ‘treatment’ varies dependent on the location.
 
The types of limits are:

• 20mph speed limit - requires the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) with associated road signs and repeater signs.
• 20mph zone - also requires the introduction of a TRO but must be made self enforcing by the use of traffic calming features.
• Part time 20mph speed limit - requires a TRO but will also require special authorisation from the DfT.
• Advisory limits - do not require the use of a TRO but may require DFT approval dependant on the type of signage used.

The report presented to Councillors at a Cabinet meeting held tonight (Monday 21 March 2011) recognises that it would be “impractical” to introduce the reduced speed limits outside St John’s Thornham which is on an un-made lane and Hamer County Primary School which is located just off a dual carriage way.
 
The solution to the varying locations of the schools was presented to Councillors as:
 
“To balance competing demands of keeping traffic moving and improving the safety around schools on the strategic network it is proposed that all of the mandatory 20mph speed limits on A and B road will be ‘part time.’ The timing of each is likely to cover a 30 -45 minute period at the start and end of each school day.”
 
Part time 20mph speed zones will be controlled with amber corner flashers controlled by a central computer. This type of signage is in its infancy across the country so permission needs to be granted from the Department for Transport.
 
Schools in residential areas will be subject to 20mph zones with traffic calming features such as flat top and round top speed humps. These zones will be restricted to an area outside the school entrances.
 
In addition to the part time speed limits and the zones a number of advisory signs will be located on schools routes.
 
The cost of implementing the proposals will cost £1,003,000 and includes the introduction of the following:
 

• Ten part time 20mph speed limits,
• Nineteen 20mph zones,
• Three part time 20mph speed limits with 20mph zones,
• Five advisory 20mph speed limits with 20mph zones,
• Four 20mph limits on existing traffic calmed areas

The only option for funding the scheme is additional capital funding. There will however be a 10% or £103,300 borrowing cost associated with this. For this to be met within the existing Highways & Engineering revenue budget, reductions within other areas of the service will need to be made. Options available are noted below:
 

• Reduction in the budget provision for festive lights (2011/12 budget £93,200).
• Reduction in the budget provision for planned maintenance schemes devolved to townships (2011/12 budget £214,800)