New measures to cut drivers' speed
From Councillor Ted Richards, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways on 10 January 2012
New measures are being introduced across the borough to make it clearer and easier for drivers to know when they are entering 30mph areas.
Current UK law prevents the use of repeat 30mph signs in street –lit areas, with some drivers then claiming they are unaware of what speed they should be doing.
Road improvements put in place by Solihull Council over the past few months, and due to continue in the next couple of months will now make drivers more aware of the legal limit, and encourage them to drive at a speed appropriate to the area.
The measures include bright new signs, red circles with 30mph painted on the road and dragon’s teeth markings, which change the look of the road and make it appear narrower.
Councillor Ted Richards, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said: “Speed is a factor in so many accidents, and we want to ensure drivers keep to the speed limit, especially in built up areas. These features emphasise the fact that the areas are 30mph zones, and drivers will be left in no doubt as to what speed they should be doing.”
Last year, the speed reminders were placed in roads in Knowle, Shirley, Hockley Heath, Smiths Wood and Kingshurst. Improvements were also introduced on roads just outside of Solihull town centre, including Damson Parkway, the junction between Lode Lane and Solihull bypass, and the junction between Lode Land and Hampton Parkway.
Future sites include roads in Hockley Heath, Shirley, Tidbury Green, Cheswick Green, Monkspath, Bentley Heath, Chelmsley Wood, Smiths Wood, and Castle Bromwich.
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