A331 permanent 50mph speed limit introduced
Discussion
As per the title, another NSL stretch of road appears to have gone. Went to Watchmoor Park Sainsbury today and noticed a permanent 50mph speed limit has been introduced on the A331 between the M3 & A30 roundabouts. I didn't even realise this was planned let alone being introduced 
Having looked online it seems it was originally proposed for introduction back in early 2012 but was then put on hold indefinitely.
Since it was first proposed the reasoning seems to have gone from just the usual / expected lowering accident risk on that stretch of road to now also being essential to lower the pollution levels that are present along that stretch of the A331. The limit reduction is also being seen as a requirement to improve traffic flow and minimise traffic congestion at peak times.
I guess the reasoning for the thread is did anyone else see that stretch of the A331 as being an accident blackspot that warranted the reduction?
I must admit I do find it amusing that whenever a speed limit reduction appears to be required it always has some form of ties to being beneficial to lowering nearby pollution levels. Again I didn't realise that stretch of the A331 was a pollution blackspot.
I'm also not sure how the limit reduction is going to ease traffic congestion as in the rush hour you're lucky if the traffic is moving faster than a crawling pace on that section anyway.
Having looked online it seems it was originally proposed for introduction back in early 2012 but was then put on hold indefinitely.
Since it was first proposed the reasoning seems to have gone from just the usual / expected lowering accident risk on that stretch of road to now also being essential to lower the pollution levels that are present along that stretch of the A331. The limit reduction is also being seen as a requirement to improve traffic flow and minimise traffic congestion at peak times.
I guess the reasoning for the thread is did anyone else see that stretch of the A331 as being an accident blackspot that warranted the reduction?
I must admit I do find it amusing that whenever a speed limit reduction appears to be required it always has some form of ties to being beneficial to lowering nearby pollution levels. Again I didn't realise that stretch of the A331 was a pollution blackspot.
I'm also not sure how the limit reduction is going to ease traffic congestion as in the rush hour you're lucky if the traffic is moving faster than a crawling pace on that section anyway.
Edited by AlexRS2782 on Thursday 16th July 20:15
Having a look online, the limit reduction also seems to also be tied to plans by SCC / EnterpriseM3 to introduce a permanent bus route (including seated stops & bus layby areas) along that stretch of the A331 with the idea that it should serve commuters for the various industrial units including Stanhope Road, Riverside Way, etc. Evidently commuters should be encouraged to commute there by bus, not car, thus reducing congestion at peak times.
Not sure how that congestion will be eased as aren't they planning the reconstruction of The Meadows roundabout for 2016 after the managed motorway is completed? That's going to be about as bad for congestion as the M3 is at Basingstoke with the current reconstruction work being done there at the moment.
Interestingly, it also appears Rushmoor Council are also currently considering the possible benefits of dropping from NSL to 50 on the A331 from the Aldershot junction to the A31 interchange, with the reasoning being to minimise accident risk and slowing vehicles well in advance of the A31 interchange. Again, is that a particular accident blackspot?
Not sure how that congestion will be eased as aren't they planning the reconstruction of The Meadows roundabout for 2016 after the managed motorway is completed? That's going to be about as bad for congestion as the M3 is at Basingstoke with the current reconstruction work being done there at the moment.
Interestingly, it also appears Rushmoor Council are also currently considering the possible benefits of dropping from NSL to 50 on the A331 from the Aldershot junction to the A31 interchange, with the reasoning being to minimise accident risk and slowing vehicles well in advance of the A31 interchange. Again, is that a particular accident blackspot?
Edited by AlexRS2782 on Thursday 16th July 21:43
That was an unpleasant surprise I (eventually) spotted last week, having already passed down from meadows end at the old limit and then returned later spotting the 50 signs. Was a lovely bit of road too when quiet.
Can understand it being a dicey speed if people aren't prepared to stop at the 2 traffic lighted junctions. Unusual not to see some "new speed limit" signs - but my own fault for not seeing them on the first run through
Can understand it being a dicey speed if people aren't prepared to stop at the 2 traffic lighted junctions. Unusual not to see some "new speed limit" signs - but my own fault for not seeing them on the first run through
krisdelta said:
Unusual not to see some "new speed limit" signs - but my own fault for not seeing them on the first run through
On roads we use regularly, I doubt any of us look at the speed limit signs. I only noticed because just before the M3 roundabout I saw a NSL sign - which I knew hadn't been there before, and implied the limit I was in had changed. On the way back, I looked and saw 50mph signs. I use that road at least once a week (last time on Wednesday) but I didn't notice - oops!
I like a quick blat up the A331 after I have just endured miles of 50 misery on the M3!
If it is a pollution blackspot the cause is probably having traffic lights to stop you as you come off the M3 operating 24 hours a day, and then setting the timings so that you also have to stop at the Sainsburys lights and the next set for the business park every time you use that piece of road - idiots!
Slightly off topic but it may affect some - local residents have had a letter from the Council to inform us that at the end of August up past the Meadows on the A3095 at the Rackstraws junction they plan to "refurbish" the traffic lights which seems to involve removing lanes and not permitting any right turns in any direction - apparently this will take 6 to 8 weeks!
I like a quick blat up the A331 after I have just endured miles of 50 misery on the M3!
If it is a pollution blackspot the cause is probably having traffic lights to stop you as you come off the M3 operating 24 hours a day, and then setting the timings so that you also have to stop at the Sainsburys lights and the next set for the business park every time you use that piece of road - idiots!
Slightly off topic but it may affect some - local residents have had a letter from the Council to inform us that at the end of August up past the Meadows on the A3095 at the Rackstraws junction they plan to "refurbish" the traffic lights which seems to involve removing lanes and not permitting any right turns in any direction - apparently this will take 6 to 8 weeks!
Mr Tidy said:
Slightly off topic but it may affect some - local residents have had a letter from the Council to inform us that at the end of August up past the Meadows on the A3095 at the Rackstraws junction they plan to "refurbish" the traffic lights which seems to involve removing lanes and not permitting any right turns in any direction - apparently this will take 6 to 8 weeks!
Oh joy! Something to look forward to in August.And I suppose we will now start seeing speed traps appear between The Meadows and M3 Junction.
PK42 said:
I have never seen an accident along there and I use it daily.
Soon have a man with a flag in front of every car, worlds gone mad
There's been quite a few, mainly at the traffic light junctions. At least 1 fatal on the last few years, right at the business park junction (next to Sainsbury)Soon have a man with a flag in front of every car, worlds gone mad
People hoon it along, the lights change and they chance it
f
king s!
driving / riding is going to be st soon enough. Look at this regarding london arterial routes:
four locations TfL will be trialling average speed cameras along the TfL Road Network are:
A2 (between Black Prince and the Blackwall Tunnel)
A40 (between the Polish War Memorial and Paddington slip road)
A316 (between the M3 and Hogarth Roundabout)
A406 North Circular Road (between Hanger Lane and Bounds Green Road)
It will clearly spread all over the shaggin country. We're soon going to be fking pinned like butterflies to a board. Motherfkers. and then be driven about by google johnny cabs
king s!driving / riding is going to be s
t soon enough. Look at this regarding london arterial routes: four locations TfL will be trialling average speed cameras along the TfL Road Network are:
A2 (between Black Prince and the Blackwall Tunnel)
A40 (between the Polish War Memorial and Paddington slip road)
A316 (between the M3 and Hogarth Roundabout)
A406 North Circular Road (between Hanger Lane and Bounds Green Road)
It will clearly spread all over the shaggin country. We're soon going to be f
king pinned like butterflies to a board. Motherfkers. and then be driven about by google johnny cabsUp until 4months ago I worked in Watchmoor Trade Centre for 6 years and I saw a few accidents on that stretch of road but every single one was due to someone jumping the traffic lights. Rather than dropping the speed limit red light cameras would be a better solution to reducing accidents.
DEANO87 said:
Up until 4months ago I worked in Watchmoor Trade Centre for 6 years and I saw a few accidents on that stretch of road but every single one was due to someone jumping the traffic lights. Rather than dropping the speed limit red light cameras would be a better solution to reducing accidents.
Quite possibly, but last time I was doing 70 and the lights changed I had very little time to actually stop! A longer amber phase and slightly increased delay might help too.Or just build a roundabout - everyone slows down so speed differentials are much lower so any accidents would be far less serious and at least when I use it late at night I don't have to sit and wait for non-existent traffic!
Mind you going by Bracknell Forest's latest exploits I wouldn't trust the f
s not to put in lights as well - you only need one or the other FFS!This is getting to be a f
g miserable place to live! I have the misfortune to work in Bracknell and getting into or out of it in rush hour is a fg nightmare, and there isn't anything there anyway! No wonder most offices are empty and firms like BMW have left! Totally cp se without any redeeming features! Highlight of my journey is when I get to Crowthorne and I know I have escaped! DEANO87 said:
Up until 4months ago I worked in Watchmoor Trade Centre for 6 years and I saw a few accidents on that stretch of road but every single one was due to someone jumping the traffic lights. Rather than dropping the speed limit red light cameras would be a better solution to reducing accidents.
Yes, I have seen that myself several times - generally people coming out of that estate when their light has been red long enough that people on the main road have started moving. Mr Tidy said:
...Or just build a roundabout - everyone slows down....
Not everyone it seems. Anybody else seen the car parked on the roundabout at the end of the A30 dual carriageway near Blackwater? Looks like he/she out-braked themselves over the weekend, went straight up onto the roundabout and crashed into the signs. 
After this afternoon I can now sort of understand why the speed limit has been introduced - as annoying as it is when you used to enjoy accelerating off the final M3 roundabout and snicking up through the gears - although it appears it will still get ignored by the people that it's meant to deal with in the first place.
Heading in the direction of the M3 doing the speed limit, with the lights for straight ahead on green, a guy in a silver current shape M3, presumably back late from lunch / late for a meeting, decided to jump the lights on the opposite carriageway so that he could turn right into Riverside Way.
Had M3 guy been slower in jumping the lights, or made the decision to jump them a few seconds later than he did, he'd most likely have been hit full whack by a black Nissan GTR, that shot past me in the outside lane doing a good 80+ a couple of seconds later. I imagine that would have been a fairly nasty accident had the two made contact.
Heading in the direction of the M3 doing the speed limit, with the lights for straight ahead on green, a guy in a silver current shape M3, presumably back late from lunch / late for a meeting, decided to jump the lights on the opposite carriageway so that he could turn right into Riverside Way.
Had M3 guy been slower in jumping the lights, or made the decision to jump them a few seconds later than he did, he'd most likely have been hit full whack by a black Nissan GTR, that shot past me in the outside lane doing a good 80+ a couple of seconds later. I imagine that would have been a fairly nasty accident had the two made contact.
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