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I believe that Derbyshire County Council is about to conduct a comprehensive review of speed limits in the county1. Please could you indicate whether this is to be a public consultation? I would sincerely hope that it will be a public consultation involving, at the very least, Town and Parish Councils. I also hope that it will invite comments from the general public too. It seems logical for it to be a public consultation given the council's motto is "Improving life for local people". As well being a significant road safety issue, lower speed limits are also a significant quality of life issue.

As can be seen from the included leaflet2 from Suffolk County Council they conducted such a public consultation in the years 1994-96 (over 10 years ago!). It appears that Suffolk granted 30mph limits to all those communities that requested one3 - I sincerely hope that Derbyshire will, at the very least, match that or even exceed it.

I have set up a web site4 to engage the community in working towards safer roads in Derbyshire. Its stated aims include the following:

  • all rural roads to have a maximum 50mph speed limit
  • all villages to have a maximum 30mph speed limit
  • far more 20mph Home Zones than at present (currently none)
  • far more Quiet Lanes than at present (currently one)

As can be seen it has ambitious aims but I'm certain that we can all work extremely hard towards achieving them.


1 I was informed on 07/04/06 that the council was awaiting the long overdue DfT Circular 01/06 Setting Speed Limits. This was released on 08/08/06.

2 A Guide to Speed Limit Policy

3 No doubt this was achieved for a minimal outlay given the very short timescale involved.

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