Harrogate Borough Council
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Speed Limits
Speed is a significant factor in about one third of road accidents in the United Kingdom. This is particularly so in urban areas, where speeding vehicles can adversely affect the quality of life of many communities.
Speed limits are introduced to ensure greater road safety.
Measures for influencing the speed of vehicles generally fall into
two categories, legislative and physical. Speed limits fall into
the first category whereas traffic calming devices would fall into
the second.
Comprehensive information on the speed limits you would expect
to come across on the different category of road is given in chart
form in
The Highway Code.
Factors to be considered
The police view on a change to a speed limit is important and
will be sought. Account should also be taken of the characteristics
of the road, such as its alignment, the level of activity alongside
the road, the accident record and the degree of severance caused to
a community by the speed of vehicles.
In urban areas, speed limits should fit into a rational and
easily understood hierarchy if they are to be observed by drivers.
Before deciding to change an existing speed limit the Highway
Authority must consider all the relevant factors such as:
- expected accident savings
- improvement to the environment
- improvement in amenities
- reduction in public anxiety
- improved facilities for vulnerable road users
- delays to traffic
- costs of implementation
- costs of engineering measures and their maintenance
- costs of enforcement, especially where the speed limit is regarded as unreasonable by drivers.
If it is considered that a change in the speed limit is
warranted then a new Speed limit Order has to be made. This
involves a statutory legal process that takes approximately 9
months to complete.
How do I apply for new or changes to existing Speed Limits?
If you wish the Council to consider the introduction of
any of the measures outlined above to existing speed limits you
will need to request this in writing giving full reasons for the
request. Harrogate Borough Council programme 2 reviews of traffic
regulation orders each year and your request will considered at the
earliest possible review by the Traffic section.
Applications may be made in writing to;-
Senior Engineer [Traffic]
Traffic Management Section
Department of Development Services
Harrogate Borough Council
Knapping Mount
West Grove Road
Harrogate
HG1 2AE
Telephone: 01423 500600
Fax: 01423 556650
Applications may also be made by using the form below.
Contact Us
If you wish to report a vandalised/missing speed limit sign,
in the Agency Area please complete
a Fault Report form.
Latest & Current Traffic Regulation Orders
All the latest traffic regulation order proposals, and details
of existing traffic regulation orders can be found here.
Repeater Signs
If the road in question has a system of street lighting on it
with no speed limit repeater signs the road is already subject to
30mph and as such the Highway Authority is not permitted to place
30mph repeater signs on it. The system of street lighting in a
built up area should be sufficient evidence of 30mph limit.