The plan to lower the speed restriction between Eastbourne and Pevensey Bay in England is up for debate by county councillors. The traffic regulation was set to be considered at a meeting of the East Sussex County Council’s planning committee on Wednesday, 15 October. The Traffic Restriction Order (TRO) revolves around speed restrictions on a section of the A259 where there is currently a speed limit of 50 mph.
Speed limit change proposed after consultation feedback
All of the 1.25 kilometres between the eastern side of the Martello Roundabout and the entrance to Pevensey Bay would be covered by the TRO, which proposes a limit of 40 mph. The council’s Speed Management Programme, which has overseen the speed limit review of the county’s A roads, is the programme under which the proposal is made, and a B-class road network is used to determine if current speed limits are adequate.
The officers stated in a report to the committee that this programme considers the stretch of road to be a high priority, pointing out the numerous accidents that have occurred there. On this stretch of the A259, a three-year evaluation period revealed four fatal or serious injury (KSI) incidents and six minor personal injury incidents that were reported to the authorities.
According to authorities, there was considerable support for the plans throughout a period of open public input.
The consultation produced a total of 21 representations, 18 of which were entirely positive. Only one of the three remaining representatives opposed lowering the speed limit because they feared higher congestion. The two other delegates had both suggested reducing the speed limit even more to 30 mph, with one suggesting that the council should also think about adding a traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossing.
The TRO’s dismissal is not justified, according to a study
According to authorities, these arguments are not enough to justify the TRO’s dismissal. Their study says:
“It would not be effective to impose a 30 mph speed restriction on this section of the road because it would be too low for the street setting. Drivers would continue to travel at greater speeds if a 30 mph speed limit were implemented, leading to a poorly obeyed speed limit. There is no proof that a 40 mph speed restriction would increase traffic congestion.”
Additional measures, such as traffic lights, a pedestrian crossing, or vehicle-activated signage, would also fall outside the purview of the police, according to authorities. The speed management program. They claimed that the cost of any such action would be “significantly higher” than the traffic signs and road markings necessary to introduce the possibility of a 40 mph speed limit.
How to tackle A259 road improvements, congestion, and safety issues
West Sussex County has designated the A259 Bognor Regis to Littlehampton corridor as a short-term priority for upgrades. This corridor is a crucial route in England. Transport Plan for 2022–2036 for the Council (WSCC). One of the top ten priority initiatives for DfT’s MRN funding investment in the South East is the corridor.
In 2021, 65 options were considered, with 23 short-listed for detailed assessment. The scheme was developed further following feedback and is now progressing towards the submission of the Outline Business Case to the DfT later this year. The 2023 non-statutory consultation aims to inform stakeholders and receive feedback on the proposed design proposals.
West Sussex’s A259 improvement scheme to reduce congestion and enhance safety
Due to its proximity to the A27 and the possibility of delays, the A259 is experiencing congestion and road safety problems. By lowering traffic, increasing the dependability of travel times, addressing accident hotspots, and encouraging bus usage, the plan seeks to address these problems.
According to 2023 prices, the project was expected to cost about £37.5 million, with 85% of the funding coming from the DfT and the remaining 15% coming from local sources. The suggested plan calls for lowering speed limits along the corridor and enhancing nine sites between the A259/B2132 Yapton Road junction and the A259/B2187 Bridge Road roundabout. If the finance application is approved, the program is anticipated to be a hit.