RTPI Northern Ireland response to the Speed review | The Royal Town Planning Institute

The Department for Infrastructure has undertaken an evidenced based Speed Limit Review from across the UK, Europe and the Republic of Ireland to consider if there are any potential opportunities to improve road safety in Northern Ireland. This review focuses on three main parts:

Part 1 - 20mph speed limits

Part 2 - National speed limits on rural single and dual carriageway roads

Part 3 - Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) speed limits.

Attitudes to 20mph Speed Limits

Based on the evidence in the consultation report which of the following options relating to 20mph speed limits would you support in an effort to improve road safety. (put in order of preferred = 1 to least preferred = 6)

Existing 30mph speed limits to remain as they are currently (do nothing):

6

Introduce a 20mph speed limit in targeted areas, such as those that are currently traffic calmed and currently 30mph:

4

Introduce a 20mph speed limit at all schools, where it is safe to do so:

3

Introduce a 20mph speed limit in built up residential areas that are currently 30mph (including at schools where it is safe to do so):

2

Introduce a 20mph speed limit in all areas that are currently 30mph, with the exception of arterial routes:

1

Introduce a 20mph speed limit in all areas that are currently 30mph, with no exceptions:

5

On which type of urban roads or streets do you think a 20mph speed limit would be appropriate?

Streets with existing traffic calming measures, Streets in the immediate vicinity of schools, Streets with lots of pedestrian movements e.g. shopping streets, village main streets, residential streets, distributor roads within residential developments, streets or roads outside hospitals or health centres, all current 30 mph roads.

What do you believe would be the benefits, if any, of a 20mph urban limit?

Reduce the severity of collisions, increase protection of vulnerable road user, reduced emissions, quieter environment, increased active travel i.e. walking/cycling

Adoption of a 20mph speed limit would bring us into line with the vast weight of evidence, accepted best transport planning practice, and new guidance coming out. For example, the Department for Transport's new Manual for Streets 3, currently out for consultation, states that the default should be to work to a design speed of 20 mph in built up environments. Danger from road traffic is often quoted as a key barrier preventing more people taking up walking and cycling. Safer roads, for example with slower speeds, less traffic and more considerate driving, would encourage 22% of people to walk to school more often, with an additional 9% citing safer crossing points as being most important (National Travel Survey NTS 2023 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-travel-survey-2023/nts-2023-travel-to-and-from-school). Safer roads were cited as the factor that would encourage the largest proportion of people to cycle or cycle more (61% of respondents) followed by more off-road and segregated cycle paths (52%) and well maintained road surfaces for cycling (51%). (National Travel Attitudes Study Wave 9 NATS 2023 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-travel-attitudes-study-wave-9/national-travel-attitudes-study-ntas-wave-9-cycling).

We believe that there are no drawbacks to a 20mph urban limit. If just one driver abides by the 20 mph limit, then others will be forced to follow suit in the flow of traffic; therefore enforcement is relatively self-policing. There might be longer journey times, driver frustration and increased congestion but these are potentially good things, helping to shift people to active travel (which becomes more attractive with better road safety) and public transport, which bring massive health benefits, reductions in cost to the NHS, and will help us to reach our greenhouse gas emissions goals. The potential disbenefits of a 20 mph urban limit are vastly outweighed by the potential benefits.

If the 20mph speed limit was introduce, how compliant do you think drivers in your area would be?

1

How much do you think 20mph speed limit on a street would positively affect your travel choices? i.e. mode of transport, route, time of travel?

Mode - Significantly

Route - Significantly

Time of Travel - Unsure

Attitudes to Lowering Rural Speed Limits on Single and Dual Carriageway Roads

Based on the evidence in the consultation report which of the following options relating to national speed limits on single carriageway rural roads would you support in an effort to improve road safety. (put in order of preferred = 1 to least preferred = 3)

Existing national speed limits on rural single carriageway roads to remain as they currently are:

3

Introduce a reduction of the national speed limit from 60mph to 50mph (or lower if appropriate) with a targeted approach (at high collision sites and/or local road geometry) on rural single carriageway roads:

2

Introduce a reduction of the national speed limit from 60mph to 50mph on all rural single carriageway roads:

1

How strongly do you support or oppose reducing the national speed limit of 60mph on rural single-carriageway roads to 50mph?

Somewhat support

What do you consider the benefits would be from lowering speed limits on rural roads?

Reducing fatal collisions, Improving the environment and increasing perceptions of safety, will improve the sense of place in rural communities.

To what extent do you think lowering speed limits on rural roads would affect journey times for you?

No noticeable change.

How do you feel about the impact of your journey time?

Acceptable

Based on the evidence in the consultation report which of the following options relating to national speed limits on dual carriageway roads would you support in an effort to improve road safety. (put in order of preferred = 1 to least preferred = 3)

Existing national speed limits on dual carriageway roads to remain as they currently are:

3

Introduce a reduction of the national speed limit from 70mph to 60mph (or lower if appropriate) with a targeted approach (at high collision sites and/or local road geometry) on dual carriageway roads:

2

Introduce a reduction of the national speed limit from 70mph to 60mph on all dual carriageway roads:

1

How strongly do you support or oppose reducing the national speed limit on dual-carriageway roads (currently 70mph) to 60mph or lower?

Somewhat support

Attitudes to increasing HGV Speed Limits

Based on evidence in the consultation report which of the following options relating to HGV speed limits would you support in an effort to improve road safety. (Put in order of preferred = 1 to least preferred = 3)

HGV speed limits to remain as they currently are:

2

Introduce a trial on selective route(s) to increase HGV speed limits to 50mph on all single carriageways and 60mph on all dual carriageways to align with other regions:

1

Introduce an increase to HGV speed limits to 50mph on all single carriageways and 60mph on all dual carriageways to align with other regions:

3

How strongly do you support or oppose increasing the maximum speed for HGVs on certain roads to align with speed limits in other regions?

Neither support nor oppose

In your view, how would a higher HGV speed limit affect road safety overall?

Unsure

Do you believe any increase in HGV speed limits should be contingent on additional safety measures (e.g. mandatory speed-limiting technology, increased driver training, stricter enforcement)?

Mandatory speed-limiting technology, increased driver training, stricter enforcement, other

Specific measures to improve safety and awareness of cyclists and pedestrians should be mandatory.

Comparative Priorities

Please rank the following policy objectives in order of importance to you (1 = most important, 6 = least important)

Reducing fatal and serious injuries:

2

Reducing number and severity of collisions involving vulnerable road users:

1

Minimizing journey times:

6

Supporting economic growth through efficient freight:

5

Lowering greenhouse-gas emissions:

4

Improving quality of life for communities:

3

How confident are you that the proposed speed limit changes would deliver a reduction in fatalities and serious injuries and overall improve the safety of road users?

20mph Speed limits - Very confident

Speed Limits on Single Carriageway Roads - Very confident

Speed Limits on Dual Carriageway Roads - Fairly confident

HGV Speed Limits - Unsure