Purpose

To seek approval for implementation of a
countywide speed management strategy in line with the Department
Transport’s (DfT) “Setting Local Speed Limits”
guidance which highlights the importance of traffic
authorities’ delivering speed limits that are “safe and
appropriate for roads and its surroundings.”
The proposed strategy will also enable the Council to carry out its
network management duty under Section 16 of the Traffic Management
Act 2004, ie to secure the expeditious movement of traffic on the
authority’s road network and both the more efficient use and
avoidance, elimination or reduction of road congestion or other
disruption to the movement of traffic on their road network.

Decision

Approval for the introduction of a North
Yorkshire Council Speed Management Strategy and the creation of two
engineer posts to take forward a planned programme of speed limit
reviews.

The Executive Member for Highways and Infrastructure has also asked
for a report into the merits of Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) and
Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) and a review of the Council’s
current position.

Reasons for the decision

To allow for the introduction of the NYC Speed
Management Strategy and commencement of the planned programme of
speed limit reviews.

Alternative options considered

Essentially, the alternative would be to
retain the current reactive approach to speed limit reviews, which
is reliant upon parish and town council and community groups
service requests. This is not considered desirable when set against
the benefits of a proactive and comprehensive strategy for speed
management, as set out further in the SMS itself.