MOST main rural roads throughout Suffolk could be subjected to a compulsory 50mph speed limit in a bid to cut accidents.Results of a pilot study on all A and B classified roads in Mid Suffolk indicate that the cost to council tax payers of reducing the limit from the current national maximum 60mph would be £340,000.
MOST main rural roads throughout Suffolk could be subjected to a compulsory 50mph speed limit in a bid to cut accidents.
Results of a pilot study on all A and B classified roads in Mid Suffolk indicate that the cost to council tax payers of reducing the limit from the current national maximum 60mph would be £340,000.
The county council is following a Government directive which ordered all highways authorities to review speed limits on its A and B roads and to evaluate the likely impact.
In a report to next month's meeting of the Cabinet, the county council's director of environment and transport Lucy Robinson admits that imposing lower speed limits will not substantially reduce casualties on our roads.
But she added: “There is good evidence that the adherence to appropriate speed limits will reduce the severity of casualties in accidents and slightly reduce the occurrence of accidents overall.
“There is little doubt that reduced speeds will improve the quality of life for those living alongside the road.”
Altering speed limits in Mid-Suffolk has been estimated at £85,000, including the cost of statutory orders and advertisements. A Suffolk-wide scheme, excluding Ipswich and other urban centres, would be £340,000.
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