Indeed and rejigging the whole system to allow vehicles to cover the 14 miles a couple of minutes faster seems like overkill especially given the the Cambridge Northern Bypass is normally the slowest bit.tom66 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 21, 2022 16:41 That's absolutely true - but then you have sections like the Huntingdon bypass which is of very high standard and is *effectively* of motorway standard even if it is not legally a motorway. On those roads, it would be sensible to allow all vehicles to operate at motorway speeds, but it's currently legally impossible to allow this without making the road a motorway which creates other issues.
A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
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Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
But... designating it A14(M) and allowing vans to drive a bit faster on that stretch is a much better idea, given the strategic nature of the route. I simply don't buy it that professional drivers would be confused by the notion. And if you're on a tacho, being able to do 14 miles at 70 versus 60 does make a difference. And, indeed, there's no reason why the Cambridge bypass shouldn't also be in this category, along with other sections of the A14, such as from the M6 to Kettering...KeithW wrote: ↑Thu Jul 21, 2022 20:43Indeed and rejigging the whole system to allow vehicles to cover the 14 miles a couple of minutes faster seems like overkill especially given the the Cambridge Northern Bypass is normally the slowest bit.tom66 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 21, 2022 16:41 That's absolutely true - but then you have sections like the Huntingdon bypass which is of very high standard and is *effectively* of motorway standard even if it is not legally a motorway. On those roads, it would be sensible to allow all vehicles to operate at motorway speeds, but it's currently legally impossible to allow this without making the road a motorway which creates other issues.
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Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
M14 or M11 please. Let's not perpetuate the nonsense of Ax(M) pleasec2R wrote: ↑Thu Jul 21, 2022 20:50But... designating it A14(M) and allowing vans to drive a bit faster on that stretch is a much better idea, given the strategic nature of the route. I simply don't buy it that professional drivers would be confused by the notion. And if you're on a tacho, being able to do 14 miles at 70 versus 60 does make a difference. And, indeed, there's no reason why the Cambridge bypass shouldn't also be in this category, along with other sections of the A14, such as from the M6 to Kettering...KeithW wrote: ↑Thu Jul 21, 2022 20:43Indeed and rejigging the whole system to allow vehicles to cover the 14 miles a couple of minutes faster seems like overkill especially given the the Cambridge Northern Bypass is normally the slowest bit.tom66 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 21, 2022 16:41 That's absolutely true - but then you have sections like the Huntingdon bypass which is of very high standard and is *effectively* of motorway standard even if it is not legally a motorway. On those roads, it would be sensible to allow all vehicles to operate at motorway speeds, but it's currently legally impossible to allow this without making the road a motorway which creates other issues.
Bryn
Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already.
She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
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Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already.
She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
Blog - https://showmeasign.online/
X - https://twitter.com/ShowMeASignBryn
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BrynBuck
Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
Well yes, I've long argued for the abolition of the Ax(M) designation but the short lived expressway concept was all about the A14(M)Bryn666 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 22, 2022 11:08M14 or M11 please. Let's not perpetuate the nonsense of Ax(M) pleasec2R wrote: ↑Thu Jul 21, 2022 20:50But... designating it A14(M) and allowing vans to drive a bit faster on that stretch is a much better idea, given the strategic nature of the route. I simply don't buy it that professional drivers would be confused by the notion. And if you're on a tacho, being able to do 14 miles at 70 versus 60 does make a difference. And, indeed, there's no reason why the Cambridge bypass shouldn't also be in this category, along with other sections of the A14, such as from the M6 to Kettering...
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Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
I've always disliked the brackets. Why is it A1(M) and not just A1M? I've noticed some very old roadsigns do dispense with the bracketry, so presumably both were acceptable at one point.
Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
Sorry if this has been mentioned before but Google satellite view and streetview both show the Huntingdon railway viaduct part way through being dismantled.
Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
Signs without the parenthesis have always been wrong. From day one the correct convention has been Ax(M).
Bryn
Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already.
She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
Blog - https://showmeasign.online/
X - https://twitter.com/ShowMeASignBryn
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BrynBuck
Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already.
She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
Blog - https://showmeasign.online/
X - https://twitter.com/ShowMeASignBryn
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BrynBuck
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Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
There is a valid option for allowing LGVs to travel at 70mph. There are plenty of single carriageways that have a circular red 60mph limit on them as opposed to NSL. The 60mph limit applies to all vehicles of course, unlike the NSL.
All the authorities have to do is change the speed limit from NSL to 70mph on these "expressways".
It is quite nonsensical that there are plenty of these roads which are motorway grade yet LGVs are only allowed to do 60mph when there are sub-standard motorways like the M50 where they're allowed to do 70mph.
All the authorities have to do is change the speed limit from NSL to 70mph on these "expressways".
It is quite nonsensical that there are plenty of these roads which are motorway grade yet LGVs are only allowed to do 60mph when there are sub-standard motorways like the M50 where they're allowed to do 70mph.
Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
I don't think that would make any difference. The maximum speed for any vehicle is either the posted speed limit or its vehicle class limit, whichever is lower. Posting the speed limit in a different way wouldn't change that.Ishtaria1980 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 04, 2022 12:17All the authorities have to do is change the speed limit from NSL to 70mph on these "expressways".
Chris
Roads.org.uk
Roads.org.uk
Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
The LGV speed limit is 56mph, on both motorways and dual carriagewaysIshtaria1980 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 04, 2022 12:17 There is a valid option for allowing LGVs to travel at 70mph. There are plenty of single carriageways that have a circular red 60mph limit on them as opposed to NSL. The 60mph limit applies to all vehicles of course, unlike the NSL.
All the authorities have to do is change the speed limit from NSL to 70mph on these "expressways".
It is quite nonsensical that there are plenty of these roads which are motorway grade yet LGVs are only allowed to do 60mph when there are sub-standard motorways like the M50 where they're allowed to do 70mph.
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Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
LGV = light goods vehicles up to 7.5T.
Under UK law Heavy Goods Vehicles (above 7.5T) are actually permitted to travel at 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways. They're only restricted to 56mph (90kph) because of EU law. 7.5T is classed as a light goods vehicle and they used to be able to travel at 60mph on dual carriageways and 70mph on motorways until the EU extended the speed limiters to all goods vehicles over 3.5T.
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Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
Weird isn't it. Some non-legal terminology refers to them as light, others as large. I tend to go with light to differentiate with HGV above 7.5T. I've always said I should be in charge of everything road related
Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
I think you will find there is a queue for that roleIshtaria1980 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 04, 2022 17:17 Weird isn't it. Some non-legal terminology refers to them as light, others as large. I tend to go with light to differentiate with HGV above 7.5T. I've always said I should be in charge of everything road related
Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
56mph is extremely slow for a motorway and that EU law should be revised and scrapped.Ishtaria1980 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 04, 2022 15:13LGV = light goods vehicles up to 7.5T.
Under UK law Heavy Goods Vehicles (above 7.5T) are actually permitted to travel at 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways. They're only restricted to 56mph (90kph) because of EU law. 7.5T is classed as a light goods vehicle and they used to be able to travel at 60mph on dual carriageways and 70mph on motorways until the EU extended the speed limiters to all goods vehicles over 3.5T.
Traffic will flow better if HGVs can do 60 or even 70.
Though roads may not put a smile on everyone's face, there is one road that always will: the road to home.
Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
From my experience of driving in the US there is less elephant racing and although some states have a 5mph lower speed limit for lorries it doesn't really cause the same problem as the 56mph limiter does over here. One thing to consider if limiters are scrapped here is the legality of driving to the EU. It will throw up a whole heap of complications. The same with the current proposal to let everyone who passed their driving test after 1997 drive vehicles up to 7.5T - will the EU accept this entitlement given they have had no training for such vehicles?
How would you like your grade separations, Sir?
Big and complex.
Big and complex.
Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
What proposal is that? I've heard of the relaxation of trailer rules, but nothing about increases in permitted vehicle weight categories.
Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
There's currently a consultation running. Annoyingly, most news articles have incorrectly stated that all car licence holders will soon be able to drive HGVs. Journalists don't seem to know the difference between a 7.5 tonner and a 40 tonne artic.ABB125 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 04, 2022 23:50What proposal is that? I've heard of the relaxation of trailer rules, but nothing about increases in permitted vehicle weight categories.
How would you like your grade separations, Sir?
Big and complex.
Big and complex.
Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
That would be helpful eg for hiring a moving van to move house without a driver if that is all a family can afford.
Though roads may not put a smile on everyone's face, there is one road that always will: the road to home.
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Re: A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon "news"
A couple of points:
I'm sure you'll remember that energy of a moving object at 70mph is nearly 50% greater than at 56mph (proportional to the square of the velocity).
The impact requirements for typical parapets over most railways (H4a) is to withstand a 30t HGV at 65kph at a 20 degree angle (~40mph allowing for some deceleration from 56mph).
It's clear there would have to be a programme of indentification and intervention into possibly deficient parapets throughout the country if the speed of HGVs were to be raised and this would include all parapets installed to the most recent standards on the most recent schemes.
On a social level, faster HGVs allow more services to be pulled back further away from rural populations.
For instance the nearest Parcelforce depot to Holyhead and most of North Wales is in Queensferry, Deeside, fully 80 miles away.
For Penzance it is Bodmin over 50 miles away.
Both of which are a long way to go if you're not in when the driver rings the bell and leaves a card (and yes I know alternative delivery options are available but it's the principle of logistics and centralisation that are the issue)