A217 Sutton - Banstead Mad mile to get 40 mph limit
Discussion
There are signs up about a consultation for the limit to go down from 60 mph to 40 mph early next year .
People have complained about the speeding .
Note ,there are no houses on this stretch ,there is only a golf course both sides .
The limit was reduced from NSL 70 10 or more years ago .
There are only 2 types of driver on this road , those that ignore the limit and drive the fastest they possibly can get in 1 mile or the timid who drive in lane 2 at about 35 mph .
It's the only road in the whole area with a limit over 40 .
Will there be new cameras to enforce the new limit ?....very likely ,or else what's the point of doing it !
People have complained about the speeding .
Note ,there are no houses on this stretch ,there is only a golf course both sides .
The limit was reduced from NSL 70 10 or more years ago .
There are only 2 types of driver on this road , those that ignore the limit and drive the fastest they possibly can get in 1 mile or the timid who drive in lane 2 at about 35 mph .
It's the only road in the whole area with a limit over 40 .
Will there be new cameras to enforce the new limit ?....very likely ,or else what's the point of doing it !
I have lived nearby for nearly 35 years.
In the old days, there was almost guaranteed to be an article a few days after "new registrations" in August that someone had taken their brand new car for a blast there and totalled it!
Now, it's quite surprising that stretch is not 40 already, given that everything south of it to the M25 is (and average speed cameras all the way, so people actually comply).
In the old days, there was almost guaranteed to be an article a few days after "new registrations" in August that someone had taken their brand new car for a blast there and totalled it!
Now, it's quite surprising that stretch is not 40 already, given that everything south of it to the M25 is (and average speed cameras all the way, so people actually comply).
Perhaps a link to the consultation to enable review and response might be useful... 
https://www.surreysays.co.uk/environment-and-infra...
https://www.surreysays.co.uk/environment-and-infra...
https://www.surreysays.co.uk/environment-and-infra...
https://www.surreysays.co.uk/environment-and-infra...
I note the Statement of Reasons says:
It could also be worth asking for any speed survey data that is available - I suspect 85th percentile speed will be in the 50s but, of course, 'Setting Local Speed Limits' guidance from government allows them to use Average Speed instead
which invariably means a 10mph lower limit can be 'justified'.
https://www.surreysays.co.uk/environment-and-infra...
https://www.surreysays.co.uk/environment-and-infra...
https://www.surreysays.co.uk/environment-and-infra...
https://www.surreysays.co.uk/environment-and-infra...
I note the Statement of Reasons says:
Statement of Reasons said:
A speed limit assessment has been carried out on the A217 and following the processes set out in Surrey County Council’s Policy for Setting Local Speed Limits. A reduction of the speed limit on A217 Brighton Road complies with the policy and is supported by Surrey Police and Local Members for the reduction to 40mph.
I'm intrigued as to how a road with no dwellings or accesses complies with the Policy for Setting Local Speed Limits - it could be worth a review of that to understand if they are stretching the truth It could also be worth asking for any speed survey data that is available - I suspect 85th percentile speed will be in the 50s but, of course, 'Setting Local Speed Limits' guidance from government allows them to use Average Speed instead
which invariably means a 10mph lower limit can be 'justified'.It was only a matter of time, considering that much of Sutton is now a 20 limit. I'd thought they would do this when they put in the average speed cameras a few years back but the 60 limit survived for a little longer, and no cameras on the mad mile as yet - no doubt they will be coming...
It was certainly a good testing ground back in the day, and was the site of a few panicked moments arriving at the roundabout somewhat faster than intended when braking was left a bit too late!
It was certainly a good testing ground back in the day, and was the site of a few panicked moments arriving at the roundabout somewhat faster than intended when braking was left a bit too late!
They have made the consultation signs near to but not at either end of the stretch particularly small, haven’t they? In fact I’d go as far to say the signs are dangerous in that regard.
I rather suspect that the political will to reduce limits everywhere at all times will prevail.
I predict there will be little, if any, measurable benefit to any safety metrics. I also suspect an increase in near misses and frustration, stress and potential for road rage nonsense as the problem of those in L2 wishing to move to L1 becomes even more difficult as road speeds across all traffic in all lanes tends towards harmony and gaps between cars reduces.
Progress.
I think the consultation closes today, chaps.
(Cameras up by Christmas?)
I rather suspect that the political will to reduce limits everywhere at all times will prevail.
I predict there will be little, if any, measurable benefit to any safety metrics. I also suspect an increase in near misses and frustration, stress and potential for road rage nonsense as the problem of those in L2 wishing to move to L1 becomes even more difficult as road speeds across all traffic in all lanes tends towards harmony and gaps between cars reduces.
Progress.
I think the consultation closes today, chaps.
(Cameras up by Christmas?)
I purposely take a longer route to my office in Sutton just to use this stretch of road! You can do a great launch both ways, strictly 0-60mph of course.
Will be sad to see it reduced down to 40, as mentioned, there is nothing either side except for a golf course with the very occasional set of golfers crossing (hastily).
As the rest of the A217 is now all average speed cameras, I imagine this part will follow suit and we'll all be glued to our speedometers..
Will be sad to see it reduced down to 40, as mentioned, there is nothing either side except for a golf course with the very occasional set of golfers crossing (hastily).
As the rest of the A217 is now all average speed cameras, I imagine this part will follow suit and we'll all be glued to our speedometers..These things are a combo of people who just don't like people doing anything they don't like doing themselves or councils using '#becausesafety' mindsets to limit speeds.
We had similar near us, some idiot councillor decided he'd raise his profile by picking a road and stating the car accident stats over 5 years (nothing bad at all apart one death, which was a motorcyclist) and then pissing away £330k on average speed cameras and getting his photo taken with a Fast n Furious car photoshopped behind him (I kid you not).
We had similar near us, some idiot councillor decided he'd raise his profile by picking a road and stating the car accident stats over 5 years (nothing bad at all apart one death, which was a motorcyclist) and then pissing away £330k on average speed cameras and getting his photo taken with a Fast n Furious car photoshopped behind him (I kid you not).
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