Temporary speed limit could save £3m

A reduced speed limit could be enough to save £3m previously earmarked for road safety improvements at an accident blackspot.

Herefordshire Council earlier said it would spend the £3m on reconfiguring the Lock's Garage junction where the A465 meets the B4348 southwest of Hereford.

But in October, it put forward an "experimental traffic order scheme" to cut speeds to 40mph, which has since been implemented.

Susan Powell, a campaigner on road safety, said: "We have already noticed a massive calming effect on traffic, and the forecourt runs more smoothly." The council said it would assess the data before making a decision on whether to change the junction or not.

"You used to hear the traffic, especially the speeders at weekends, and now you don't. And my disabled grand-daughter can cross the road on her pony," Ms Powell added.

"It's still busy and there could still be an accident but hopefully not as serious."

Ms Powell said reconfiguring the junction would be "so disruptive, and wouldn't necessarily stop accidents" after she admitted she had been sceptical of the plans.

At a full meeting of councillors last week, Herefordshire Council leader Jonathan Lester said the council had introduced the "temporary" speed limit at the junction "pending the design and delivery of longer-term safety improvements".

Independents for Herefordshire member for neighbouring Stoney Street ward David Hitchiner asked: "If the 40mph limit works in terms of reduced accidents, shouldn't there then be no need for further safety improvements, which could be a considerable saving to the council?"

Lester agreed "if a reduction in the speed is effective then that will mitigate the need for further expense."

But added the council would need to "assess the data first".

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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