Declares that there is currently a 30mph speed limit on Monmouth Road, Bentley, Walsall, where there is a primary school and the entrance to a playing field. The playing field entrance is in constant use by dog walkers, families and the football clubs. Many vehicles travel at excessive speeds. There is a risk of serious incident if measures are not put in place to reduce the speed of vehicles using Monmouth Road.
The petitioners therefore request the House of Commons to urge Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council to implement a 20mph speed limit and traffic calming measures on Monmouth Road, Bentley, Walsall.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Valerie Vaz, Official Report, 21 July 2015; Vol. 598, c. 1461.]
[P001537]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport:
The Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for setting legislation and for guidance to traffic authorities on how to provide various traffic management measures. Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide appropriate traffic management schemes for their roads (under section 122 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984) therefore they are free to make their own decisions about the streets under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. They are also responsible for ensuring that their actions are within the law, and are accountable to local people for their decisions and their performance.
Local highway authorities can introduce 20 mph speed restrictions through 20 mph zones, which need to have specified types of traffic calming features at specific minimum frequencies or they can introduce 20 mph speed limits. The Government’s Strategic Road Safety Framework recognises that these speed restrictions can be useful in the right locations but that these are local decisions which should be made in consultation with local communities.
The DfT provides guidance for local authorities in Speed Limit Circular 01/2013 – ‘Setting Local Speed Limits’ which is at:
With regard to traffic calming, this is also a matter for local authorities. The DfT has published guidance on the design of traffic calming measures is in Local Transport Note (LTN) 1/07 Traffic Calming’ which is available on the DfT website at:
Any concerns should be taken up with the local authority. Ministers and officials have no remit to intervene in the day-to-day affairs of local authorities except where specific provision has been made in legislation.