Progress. Out of the weeds...

Two weeks ago I had an initial reply from the HCC Traffic Management Team:

Dear Mr Stead,

Thank you for your recent query regarding the speed limit on the above roads.  Although the slip road off the A34 reduces down to a single lane carriageway, the national speed limit that applies near Nuns Walk and Winchester Road would be 60mph.  Although this is the legal maximum speed, drivers should adjust their speed accordingly based on the local environment, road conditions and nature of the road. I would assume that most traffic exiting from the A34 would be gradually reducing their speed due to the bends of the road and the fact that the slip roads reduces from two lanes into one.

Due to the cost implications and lengthy legal procedure associated with any alteration to existing speed limits, there would need to be significant safety reasons to justify a reduction in the speed limit.  Most speed limit reductions are a result of a road having a poor personal injury accident record where vehicle speed is a contributing factor.  In the case of the slip road off the A34, I am not aware of any reported personal injury accident issues along this section of road which would require a review of the existing speed limit.

In saying this, I will investigate the personal injury accident record for this road to ascertain if there are any underlying safety concerns that require our attention.  I hope this has been of some help and should you require any further assistance please feel free to contact me.

...Super. So because no-one's died yet...my follow-up request:

Thank-you for your detailed reply.

I look forward to your review of the personal injury accident record. If your system doesn't show any record and the usual criteria for a reduction is a previous death or injury, I imagine the alternative way to obtain a limit reduction is the direction we are headed.

Can you please let me know how this alternate process usually works?

...has so far gone unanswered. Despite several prompts. And a repeat request to find out exactly who sets the speed limits hereabouts. Another reminder sent today.

In other news, the part of HCC that deals with roadside vegetation were very prompt in dealing with my request to clear away the vegetation from the footpath on the northern side of the underpass. Here's what it looks like now:

Which is just super, much better. However with the vegetation removed, two things are revealed: one, after years of neglect/growth the level of the soil has risen up to the point where it needs digging out to be level again, and there's a sign right where a path user would want to walk/ride - just perfect to catch a handlebar on. Next step: organise some digging, and sign relocation...

I've raised a case with HCC Footpaths for the uneven surface:

Thank You - The uneven pavement surface has been reported. Your Track it number is - 111001144994         

...and for the sign in the middle of the foot/cycle path:


Thank You - The broken or missing sign has been reported. Your Track it number is - 111001145001

Note: HCC didn't have a category for 'This sign is in a stupid place' - so we'll have to make do with 'broken'

What all this raises is the exact status of this bit of path - is it a footpath, or can bikes use it too? if it is a no-bikes path, how does one go about the process of changing this? Yet another HCC TrackIt number for that enquiry: 111001145050

And finally, a local cycling campaigner John B was in touch to suggest HCC weren't quite on the right track with their thinking. So yet another email off to the HCC team:

Dear Traffic Management Team,

In addition to my previous replies, can you please clarify how HCC acted upon the Speed Limit Review as in DfT Circular 01/2006, which required all A and B limits to be reviewed by 2011. 

I believe the guidance included the principle "The needs of vulnerable road users must be taken into account in order to further encourage these modes of travel and improve their safety."

I also believe that DfT no longer require the need for deaths or injuries to be a factor when determining Speed Limits. Could you please comment?

Regards

Mike