It may help if I explain the County Councils Policy with regards to speed limits in general. When setting speed limits, the County Council follows it’s Speed Management Strategy, a policy arrangement for Norfolk which is based on national guidance from the Department for Transport (DfT) and endorsed by the Norfolk Constabulary.

A key aspect of the strategy requires that speed limits should be evidence-led, self-explaining and seek to reinforce people’s assessment of what is a safe speed to travel. It makes reference to prime visual clues and measurements that should be considered when setting speed limits. These include the road type, characteristics and geometry, the level of frontage development, pedestrian volumes and factors that generate pedestrian traffic. Where a speed limit is set too low and is ‘out of kilter’ with a drivers’ perceptions’ of a reasonable and safe speed, compliance is likely to be poor. If unrealistic low speed limits

are widespread, this leads to a lack of respect and poor compliance with speed limits in general

As I’m sure you’ll be aware, speeding is an enforcement issue which is a matter for the Police. In our correspondence with Parishes and residents, we urge instances to be reported to the Police. We have consulted with the both the Police and officers in our road safety team with regards to the suitability of the current speed limit and the petition proposal for reduction to a 30mph limit.

The B1135 Tuttles Lane West / East is a key mains distributor route, serving the B1108 to Hingham and B1135 to Dereham. The speed limit on Tuttles Lane East was reduced to 30mph due to new housing, frontage development on both sides and significant pedestrian and vehicle movements in the area of Lime Tree Avenue. At the time the Rugby club was still in place and further Westwards the Wymondham garden centre. Tuttles Lane West is however subtly differing, it has more of an open rural environment landscape set by its predominately singularly development frontage. It is for this reason the speed limit remains 40mph.

We fully recognise that traffic speeds and volumes can be a sensitive issue, and whilst it is readily understood that some may perceive Tuttles Lane West to be dangerous, there is in fact little tangible evidence to support this view. The County Council only considers those incidents reported by the Police with personal injuries resulting from the incident. This information is taken into account when considering the prioritisation of highway improvement schemes, such as lowering speed limits. There have been six recorded personal injury accidents on Tuttle Lane West. One of the accidents involved a driver ‘under the influence of alcohol, one stated ‘reckless and in a hurry’ and another due to ‘loss of control’. Other incidents have been slight in severity and driver error related in terms of speed and road conditions. Taking the above into account the accident rate here is below what we would expect for this type of road.

We have contacted the Police for their views on the petition. They have confirmed that all collisions relate to driver/rider behaviour and inattention. Both the serious collisions relate to vehicles pulling out of a junction in front of another vehicle causing the collision. These were at the Melton Road junction, where visibility is good in both directions.

The Police have agreed that the existing 40mph speed limit through Tuttles Lane West, accords with the determining principles, is in keeping with the guidance set by the DfT, and is considered fit for purpose.

The County Council is not reviewing speed limits on the principal and main distributor network, other than through local development or if incidents become frequent to trigger a safety review but this is not the case for Tuttles Lane West at current time. Given that the current speed limit meets DfT guidance, and that there is little evidence to suggest particular problems, I am afraid that further pursuance of a speed limit change could not be supported at this time.

We will however liaise with Wymondham Town Council to ensure their SAM signs (speed activated signage) are deployed at varying locations throughout Tuttles Lane. Further, we will consider some ‘Think Safety’ signage for the approaches to the Melton Road junction, where incidents have occurred.

Although you may consider the above disappointing, I trust it at least summarises the County Councils position regarding the speed limit for Tuttles Lane West.