Government claims: New rural speed limits unlikely

Plans to cut speed limits on country roads from 60mph to as little as 40mph now seem unlikely to see the light of day, for practical reasons.

The latest threat to our riding freedom loomed as Secretary of State for Transport Stephen Byers prepared to report to Parliament at the end of this month on the safety of roads in the countryside. One of the bodies which has his ear in the build-up to that speech is the Institute of Highways and Transportation (IHT), which is recommending that speed limits be changed.

IHT technical director Carlton Robert-James said: ” With such an approach, certain roads which bikers enjoy – country ones with sweeping bends – will have their speed limits cut.

” There is a problem with the number of accidents on rural roads. As far as we’re concerned, speed is part of that problem – and very much part of the solution. ”

But a Government spokesman said on Thursday afternoon, such a change was unlikely because it would lead to wholesale changes in the way maps are drawn and published (switching A, B and C class roads into two new groups; major and minor country roads) and would cost a fortune in new road signs.

The Government is now intimating that driver education may be the more sensible solution, advocating that there should be help for motorists to work out safe speeds for themselves.

It’s advice that both the AA and MAG would offer.

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