Changes to the speed limit along one mile of road in Midhurst are to be introduced.
A Traffic Regulation Order for Bepton Road, between Severals Lane and Bell Lane, has been authorised by West Sussex County Council’s director for highways, transport & planning.
Bepton Road is a C class road, part of which is de-restricted, meaning motorists can drive at 60mph between the two 30mph sections to the north and south.
The changes will see the 30mph section to the north extended by 390m, while a 40mph limit will then run for around a mile to join the 30mph zone north of Bell Lane.
Speed limit signs will be installed in accordance with Department for Transport regulations. The cost of the scheme will be around £3,000.
A consultation into the proposed changes was held in the spring, attracting three objections. One felt there was ‘no issue with the current speed limits’. They added: “The limits on Bepton and Severals Road have over time seen reductions in speed limits over various sections and none of these changes have made any difference in the speed people drive.”
Responding to the objections, the council’s head of local highways operations described the ‘Safe System’ approach to road safety which had been adopted by the council.
The long-term goal is for a ‘road traffic system which is eventually free from death and serious injury’.
There are five key pillars to the Safe System approach: safe road use, safe vehicles, safe speeds, safe roads and roadsides, and post-crash response.
Part of the council’s speed limit policy states: “Research indicates that reducing traffic speeds reduces the likelihood of a road traffic collision occurring and reducing the speed difference between those involved will reduce the severity of any injuries sustained in a collision.”
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