What this consultation is about
The A61 is one of the major roads into Chesterfield from Sheffield and Alfreton and over recent years has seen a significant increase in development, both commercial and residential.
This increase has led to a rise in vehicles using the road, and with new residential developments more pedestrians and cyclists are using the road
We now want to review the existing speed limits along the A61 from Chesterfield to Alfreton and to carry out a consultation with those who pass along the A61 and those that live next to it.
The existing speed limits have been reviewed in line with government guidance called the ‘setting of local speed limits’. Using this guidance means that there is a consistent approach to setting speed limits across the country.
The factors that have been used in the assessment of appropriate speed limits are:
- the function of the road - whether it is a strategic road, whether it carries through traffic or if it is mainly residential
- existing traffic speeds as well as its potential to reduce congestion and improve journey time reliability
- estimated collision and injury savings - whether there is a history of collisions, including frequency, severity, types and causes
- what the road looks like to the road users - considering the road geometry and engineering such as its width, sightlines, bends, junctions, accesses
- the composition of the road users (including existing and potential levels of road users) and its ability to increase walking and cycling levels - whether it is outside a school, in a residential area or village, in a shopping area
- the environment of the road - considering the level of roadside development and possible impacts on residents’ quality of life (for example, visual impact, noise, vibration, severance and air quality)
- costs - including engineering and other physical measures including signing, as well as future maintenance liabilities and the cost of enforcement - the speed limit appraisal tool provided by the Department for Transport enables highway authorities to wholly assess
If a speed limit is set unrealistically low for the particular road function and condition, it may be ineffective, and drivers may not comply with the speed limit.
Speed limit must also reflect its environment and be consistent with the advice in the criteria on which limit is suitable.
Drivers are likely to expect and respect lower limits where they can see there are potential hazards, for example outside schools, in residential areas or villages and in shopping streets.
If you would like to take part in the consultation and have your say about the proposed changes to the A61 please continue to the questionnaire and look at the drawings of the proposals attached to this page.