ROAD users are today being asked to voice their opinions about whether lower speed limits on the A140 should be made permanent.Suffolk County Council's experiment with a 50mph speed limit on the notorious Ipswich to Norwich link road is due to end in December.

ROAD users are today being asked to voice their opinions about whether lower speed limits on the A140 should be made permanent.

Suffolk County Council's experiment with a 50mph speed limit on the notorious Ipswich to Norwich link road is due to end in December.

Councillors will then have to decide whether to keep the restrictions which evoked fierce criticism when they were introduced in June last year.

There were fears that the limits would frustrate drivers on open stretches of road.

Councillor Guy McGregor, responsible for roads and transport said: “Almost everyone who uses this road has a view on the experimental speed limit.

“I hope people who take the time to let us know what they think.

“Public consultation is an important part of the review and those who respond will have a significant impact on the decision that we make.”

The experimental limits were introduced in a bid to reduce accidents.

Council data shows most accidents on the road are rear-end shunts caused by drivers travelling too close or too fast. It says slowing the traffic has shown a slight reduction in the number of causalities.

As well as the 50mph experiment other speed limits were also put in place.

A 30mph permanent limit with 40mph buffers is in place at the Stonhams and Brockford Street and a 40mph permanent speed was introduced at Brome.

Norfolk County Council also opposed the move. It said right turn lanes at junctions and dual carriageway bypasses for the larger communities would be a better idea.

People who want to show support or opposition to the speed limits can write to the council's road safety group at Endeavour House, Russell Road, Ipswich, IP1 2BX, or e-mail road.safety@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk

WEBLINK:

www.suffolkroadsafe.net