Area 10

Communities in this area include:

• Amersham (north of A404)
• Ashley Green (east of A416)
• Botley 
• Chalfont Common
• Chalfont st Giles
• Chalfont st Peter
• Chenies 
• Chesham
• Gerrards Cross (north of A40)
• Jordans 
• Latimer
• Ley Hill
• Little Chalfont
• Lye Green
• Orchard Leigh
• Seer Green
• Whelpley Hill

Main roads:

• A404 Amersham/Little Chalfont east to the county boundary near Chorleywood.
• A413 Amersham  to Tatling End ( junction with A40)
• A416 Chesham towards Berkhamsted.

Current status

The majority of new speed limits in the area became operational on 17th May 2010. A trial of LED signs at the start/finish of some speed limits means some further sign changes will be taking place late in 2010.
Narcot Lane signs were installed later than the rest of the area, after the cycle route was installed.
Some further minor changes to some of the signs area-wide will be taking place near the end of 2010.
We will continue to monitor and review the effects of the changes.
An independent market research company has carried out a random telephone survey in the area. The results show that:-

• 82% agree with all, most or some the new 30 mph speed limits. Just 2% disagree with them and this is mostly (61%) because they feel they are too low (although a quarter feels there are too many different speed limits along some roads.)
• 68% agree with all, most or some of the new 40 mph speed limits and just 4% disagree with them and this is mostly (42%) because they feel they are too low although 21% think they are too high and 24% feel there are too many different speed limits along some roads.
• 33% believe there should be different speed limits on other local roads, with 60% disagreeing. The most frequently mentioned roads were sections of the A413, Lower Road in Chalfont St Peter, the A416 in Chesham, A404 Amersham Road, B4442 Nightingales Lane and Latimer Road in Chenies.

Different limits were given by those preferring further changes, which were mostly lower speed limits. Most said this was because ‘cars go fast enough there already’; ‘the current limit endangers children’ and ‘the speed restrictions need to be enforced.’ However a number (28%) also felt that ‘there’s no need to go so slowly on that stretch of road.

We measured the speeds, amount of traffic and numbers of crashes before the change. These will be measured again and the compared. We will hear the views of those affected by the changes. We will seek the views of district, town and parish councils

You will be able to complete questionnaires to let us know what you think.

In future years it is hoped to review the information received and decide if any further changes should be recommended. This will take place once all the speed limit reviews have been completed and when there is sufficient budget.

Deciding the changes

Public Consultation on proposed changes to speed limits took place from 30th April to Monday 22nd June. (the original closing date of  12th June 2009 was extended to allow further responses).

The Area 10 working group of council officers, councillors and police met on 16th September 2009  to discuss all the responses from the public consultation and make its  final recommendations for change.
A report on the proposed changes was written and presented to our cabinet member for approval..

A summary of the views expressed and the approved recommendation will be available in the Cabinet Member pages 

After the changes are in place

We will continue to monitor and review the effects of the changes.

• We measured the speeds, amount of traffic and numbers of crashes before the change. These will  be measured again and the results compared
• We will hear the views of those affected by the changes
• We will seek the views of district, town and parish councils
• You will be able to complete questionnaires to let us know what you think.
• An independent market research company will carry out a random telephone survey in the area.

The working group will meet again to review the information received and decide if any further changes should be recommended. This will take place once all the speed limit reviews have been completed.