§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Transport how frequently his Department agrees to the introduction of speed limits on principal roads in advance of any personal injuries arising from traffic accidents; and what is his policy towards introducing such limits to prevent accidents taking place.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyOrders to impose or amend speed limits on principal roads in England require the consent of the Secretary of State for Transport. Each case is judged against the general criteria and considerations set out in the Department's circulars to local authorities numbered Roads 1/80 and Roads 4/83 issued in February 1980 and August 1983 respectively.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the specific factors which have led him to reject 256W the application from Leicestershire county council arid Essendine parish council for a 40 mph speed limit on the A6121 road in Essendine; and in what ways the application fails to meet departmental criteria.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyAccident records and speed readings give measured criteria used in determining right speed limits. At Essendine the measured speeds were just within the recommended criterion for a 40 mph speed limit. Since 1 January 1983 there have been no recorded injury accidents. The accident criterion of more than two all-injury accidents per million vehicle miles was not met.
The Department advised Leicestershire county council against proceeding with a formal application for a 40 mph limit. Imposing a lower speed limit does not necessarily make drivers go more slowly.
It is essential that uniform criteria are applied in all cases to ensure that speed limits command the respect of motorists nationwide.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will list the occasions since 1979 when his Department has been approached by Essendine parish council or by Leicestershire county council acting on its behalf, requesting a 40 miles per hour speed limit on the A6121 road in Essendine in the Rutland district of Leicestershire; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Department was approached by Leicestershire county council twice—in January 1981 and January 1986. In each case we advised against proceeding with a 40 mph limit.
Essendine parish council approached the Department directly in July 1981 asking for reconsideration of the earlier advice. The Department confirmed our willingness to reconsider if the situation changed and if a fresh request came from the highway authority, Leicestershire county council.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the number of requests which his Department has accepted in 1986 for speed limits to be introduced on principal roads running through villages where no limit had existed before; and how many requests were refused.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyMy right hon. Friend gave his consent to the making of 43 such orders during 1986 and refused consent to 11.