Area 5

Communities in this area:

Askett
Bledlow and Bledlow Ridge
Bradenham
Downley
Ellesborough
Great and Little Hampden
Great and Little Kimble
Hughenden Valley
Lacey Green
Longwick
Loosley Row
Marsh
Meadle
Monks Risborough
Naphill
North Lee
Owlswick
Princes Risborough
Radnage
Saunderton
Speen
Walters Ash

Main roads:

A4010 Terrick to High Wycombe
A4129 Longwick
B4009 Little Kimble to Bledlow

Current status

New speed limits were put into this area in March 2006

We have monitored the effects of the changes.

We measured the speeds, amount of traffic and numbers of crashes before the changes. These have been measured again and the results compared.
Average speeds reduced by about 2 mph in the new 50mph limits and by about 3mph in the new 40mph and 30mph limits .
Early indications of the effect on crashes is encouraging, but will continue to be monitored as more data becomes available. The biggest change so far has been seen within the 50mph limit on the A4010 between Princes Risborough & Saunderton ( 9 accidents per year 'before' compared to 4 per year 'after')
202 residents completed questionnaires:
      o 70% agreed with most of the 30mph limits
      o 65% agreed with most of the 40mph limits
    o 65% agreed with most of the 50mph limits
      o We have sought the views of district, town and parish councils
An independent market research company has carried out a random telephone survey of 200 people in the area for feedback. This showed the majority of people agreed with the new limits:
      o 69% agreed with all the new 30mph speed limits
      o 80% agreed with the new 40mph speed limits
      o 73% agreed with the new 50mph speed limits

We have looked at requests for further changes to speed limits within this area and carried out site visits.

The Area 5 Working Group have met to review the speed limits. Further changes to some limits have been recommended

Public consultation on these proposed changes took place between 27th August 2008 and 7th October 2008.

The consultation was publicised by:

Notices about the planned changes displayed in the affected residential areas.
Adverts placed in the Public Notices section of local newspapers.
Detailed plans at public libraries showing the proposals
Large roadside 'posters' to make drivers aware that changes are proposed
Publicity via press releases and through updates on our website.

On 16th December 2008 the Area 5 Working Group met to discuss the responses to the public consultation and made their recommendation to the Head of Transportation.

Deciding the changes

A report on the proposed changes was approved by our cabinet member on 5 February 2009.

A summary of the views expressed and the approved recommendations are available in the Cabinet Member Reports

Implementing the changes

The Traffic Regulation Orders were sealed on 25 February 2009 and are effective on 31 March 2009, the speed limits will be shown by signs and by markings on the road surface at the beginning of the new speed restrictions.

The police will be able to enforce the new speed limits once all legally required signs are in place.