[ABD Logo]The Association of British Drivers
Speed Limit Notices

Official Sites
A few honest councils now publish their own notices on the web: NB Many councils have adopted a 'content management system' that frequently changes URLs without notice. These nuisances can usually be identified by absurdly long URLs. If you get a 'page not found' error, try using their search engine.
 
As far as we are aware, these are the only Local Authorities that bother to publish speed limit notices on their website. If you know of any others please contact the webmaster.
 
If you find your local authority has not published a speed limit reduction notice on its website, please complain about that as well as the speed limit. Only by constant public pressure can we force them to be properly accountable to the public.
 
Gazettes
Official Notices may also be found in the Gazettes:
Speed Limit Notices are one of the ways local authorities can revise the speed limit on a road. These Notices are like planning proposals — you can object to them if you believe the new limit will be inappropriate.
 
Local authorities are legally obliged to advertise such notices, but they tend to do this by using small notices, closely typed in legalese English, in the depths of the local paper, or obscure Gazettes. They may also put A4 notices on posts along the route. A4 notices are the size of a standard sheet of writing paper and are thus impossible for drivers to see. They are often placed where it is impossible for drivers to stop safely.
 
Most councils thus make little or no attempt to properly advise people who drive along the road of the proposed reductions. This is because they don't want people to object.
 
The ABD wants to see a law that forces councils to place large notices alongside any road where a speed limit reduction is proposed such that the sign can be easily seen by drivers without stopping. The signs would indicate where to obtain further information.

Speed Limit
Reduction
Proposed

01632–546487
www.honest.gov.uk
  The ABD wants to see signs like this placed on roads where any speed limit reduction is proposed.
Generic content such as this would enable the signs to be re-used throughout the county to minimize cost.

As it is, few people even know about the reduction until the new limit has been imposed — by which time it is too late to object.
 
Many of the new speed limits being imposed these days are too low for the roads, leading to traffic bunching, drivers attempting unsafe overtakes and, ultimately, complete lack of respect for ALL speed limits.
 
 
Drivers — you CAN object:
If you spot a Speed Limit Notice in your local paper, or on a piece of A4 paper attached to a lamppost, please send us details.
If you wish to object to any planned reduction, please refer to our document:
 Speed Limits — How they are set and your Right to Object
When you object to a new speed limit, it is VITAL that you use your own words, and that you don't simply copy the example letter on the ABD site.
 
Too Late?
If you find that a speed limit has been imposed on a road you frequent, and you had no prior knowledge, please complain to the council and ask them why they did not make more attempt to consult drivers who use the road. They will undoubtedly fob you off with what the law requires, but complain anyway and demand they do the job properly in future (see our sign above). Also write to the local press protesting at the lack of adequate public consultation.
 
 
Attention Local authorities: We will publish your Speed Limit Notices on this website FREE OF CHARGE, saving you Council Tax payers' money and enabling you to consult more widely.
Just send details to the webmaster

To date, we have not heard from a single authority wishing to save money or consult more widely in this way, indeed one has specifically refused to do so. This only confirms our belief that councils don't want the public to know about speed limit reductions.
 

Top Current Notices :
Authority Location Map Proposed
change
Address for
Objections
Deadline for
Objections
Argyll B841 Cairnbaan
(Lochgilphead to Crinan road)
Map

 
Reduction of NSLA to 40mph.
Public Notice [doc]
Andrew R Law
Director of Operational Services
Manse Brae
LOCHGILPHEAD
Argyll
PA31 8RD
 
27 July 2008
Oxfordshire
County
Council
Various -
Reduction of speed limit on a number of rural main roads
See our Oxfordshire local page.

 
Top Expired notices for information only :
Authority Location Map Proposed change
(External links may have expired)
Address for
Objections
Deadline for
Objections
Waltham Forest Snaresbrook Road
Walthamstow
Map

 
Reduction of existing 40mph to 30mph.
Photo of a notice
Tony Martin
Chief Engineer
Municipal Offices
16 The Ridgeway
LONDON
E4 6PS
 
Quoting reference: ES/TPD/GV/TOM/SR/WXR
16 June 2006
Highways
Agency
A5
M42–Grendon
Warks
 
HA 28/2/148.
 
Grendon

Making the temporary 50 limit between the industrial estate traffic lights and Dordon permanent (used to be NSLA until a few years ago). Reduction of existing 50mph limit to 40mph between Dordon and Grendon.
Full notice in London Gazette
Highways Agency
Traffic Operations Orders Team
Broadway
Broad Street
Birmingham
B15 1BL
9 June 2006
Highways
Agency
A5
Witherley–M69
Leics/Warks
 
HA 28/11/17.
Witherley

 

Reduction of existing NSLA to 50mph between Atherstone and the A47, and reductions to 50mph or 40mph between the A47 and the M69.
Full notice in London Gazette
Highways Agency
Traffic Operations Orders Team
Broadway
Broad Street
Birmingham
B15 1BL
9 June 2006
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Barnsley Rd
Wath on Dearne
Rotherham
Map

 
Reduction of existing 40mph to 30mph and installation of a dozen speed cushions.
Council consultation
T.C Mumford
Head of Legal and Democratic Services
Rotherham Borough Council
Civic Building
Walker Place
Rotherham
S65 1UF
9 June 2006
Highways
Agency
M621
J7–J8
OS Get-a-map
Search for
grid ref
SE321296

Extension of existing 50mph limit southwards to Junction 8 (Grid ref SE321296)
Announcement (if any) missed, limit in place and being actively enforced by police cars sat on a prat perch 50 yards after the limit starts.
South
Tyneside
Council
Various -
Widespread reduction of speed limit across seven zones
See our South Tyneside local page. Monday
14th Nov 2005
Walsall
MBC
B4151
Sutton Road
-
Reduction of speed limit on wide main road.
See our Walsall local page. Friday
18th Nov 2005

 


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