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fras wrote:I don't know if anybody has noted the sneaky new 30 mph limit on the old road. I drover along it on Sunday, and this new limit is really quite ridiculous, the existing 50 mph would have been adequate, or if they really wanted to be awkward, 40 mph, but 30 is really barmy. Before you complain at my post, drive it yourself and see.
I remarked on it a few posts back on Monday 13 March. When I went to see the exhibition, the plans only showed the 30 limit extending between the Bucklow Hill and Mere traffic lights, with 40 at either end, but in fact it now seems to stretch considerably further in both directions.
Between the two sets of lights you can perhaps see the justification, as there is a continuous row of houses along one side, although 40 would be more appropriate. However, the roads at either end are not in any sense built up, so 30, as you say, is barmy. Mind you, it is Cheshire East, so what do you expect?
“The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire.” – Robert A. Heinlein
Given the proposed 'new' detrunked road there will essentially be a country lane, they've gone with 30 to keep those houses quiet. They've been very vocal about the whole thing.
Given the amount of traffic using the B5569 between Bucklow Hill and Mere should be negligible, why is it such a problem? If the A556 is closed, you'll be diverted via M6 J20 anyway.
Bryn Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already. She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
The final speed limit plan, AIUI (I have got drawings somewhere in a box) was literally between Bucklow Hill and Mere. The A50 will be 40 through Mere, and the A5034 through Bucklow Hill and up to the Millington Roundabout will also be 40.
Bryn Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already. She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
Bryn666 wrote:Given the proposed 'new' detrunked road there will essentially be a country lane, they've gone with 30 to keep those houses quiet. They've been very vocal about the whole thing.
Given the amount of traffic using the B5569 between Bucklow Hill and Mere should be negligible, why is it such a problem? If the A556 is closed, you'll be diverted via M6 J20 anyway.
And what about traffic A556-A50 ? The only way now is the very involved circuit via the overbridge for Old Hall Lane and the lengthy 30 mph limit. Why no proper all directions junction was put in at the A50 crossing is beyond me, and this was there before on the old road at Mere. Why, oh why does the law "Announcement of improvement means deterioration of service" (Hutber's Law, Sunday Telegraph 1970s-80s) seem to prove itself so often
I notice that nearly any speed limit change reduction usually involves a half-mile or so buffer zone each side, particularly in rural areas. And in many cases, the buffer zone only really covers an odd one or two detached houses or workshops on one side of the road only.
Why is this thought to be necessary??
The situation is so out of hand (the amount of consultation is so low-profile, it's almost invisible), I feel a public inquiry should be required to sit and hear evidence to justify why such extended distances are necessary. Or even if the limits themselves are.
Last edited by Berk on Fri Mar 24, 2017 00:04, edited 1 time in total.
Perhaps so. But I am really concerned about how low-profile such consultations are. One close to me coincided with the Christmas break. I would imagine there were barely any responses.
That's not how consultations are supposed to work.
The legal requirement is an advertisement on street and in the local newspaper.
I'm no fan of absurd speed limits but given we are talking about a road being converted from a major trunk road to a country lane, 30 mph is not worth losing sleep over. There are far bigger battles to pick.
Bryn Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already. She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
Bryn666 wrote:The speed limit south of Mere is 40 last I checked and it will be when all works are done.
Last weekend there were certainly what looked like permanent 30 repeaters on grey metal poles leading up to the roundabouts south of Mere and north of Bucklow Hill. Only time will tell whether they are (a) a change of plan, (b) a mistake or (c) just a temporary measure.
“The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire.” – Robert A. Heinlein
One of those community affairs would be perfect for me. 20 'NIMBYs' being trained by a policeman who could be "Solving real crimes instead of wasting their time". I'd love that. Pure Daily Mail comments section stuff.
Bryn666 wrote:The speed limit south of Mere is 40 last I checked and it will be when all works are done.
Er, I don't think so, the signs look permanent and are on the usual poles with repeaters.
Many of the repeaters I spotted were the old 50 ones with 30 plated over.
It's far too early to judge the final speed limit. It's not uncommon for temporary limits to have permanent looking installations these days, see the 20 limit on Woodford road for the A555 work
All very nice and it is a fine piece of work, no ifs or buts, (although I do have my doubts about the Jn 19 roundabout), but why the original junction with the A50 was dropped seems to still be a mystery. All you can do now is join the new road to go north, you can't leave there, you have to negotiate the old road via the bridge and roundabout for Old Hall Lane. I'm thinking it might be quicker for a commercial traveller staying at the Kilton and wanting to go south on the M6 is better going north on the new road then turning round at the new roundabout.
I do wonder if the Premier Inn and Kilton pub on the A50 nearby have suffered any loss of business. Of course the other hotel at the BP filling station is no doubt empty by now !
