Herefordshire Villages Introduce 30mph Speed Limits to Enhance Safety

Roads in six villages across Herefordshire are set to see a reduction in speed limits to 30 miles per hour. This decision follows the approval of several traffic regulation orders (TROs) aimed at improving safety and enhancing the quality of life for residents.

The affected areas include significant stretches of road, with the speed limit on the B4260 Wilton Road between Ross-on-Wye and Wilton being reduced from 40 to 30 mph. This change also applies to Wilton Lane and Fisherman’s Reach in the village. Similarly, the speed limit along the B4234 between Kerne Bridge and the river Wye will be lowered from 40 to 30 mph as part of an “experimental” TRO. If the reduction is deemed ineffective within 18 months, it may be revoked.

Additionally, the C1019 road through the village of Leinthall Starkes, located between Wigmore and Ludlow, will see its limit drop to 30 mph throughout its length. In Weobley, the existing 30 mph limit will be extended to three approach roads: the B4230 Mill Bank to the west, the C1093 Gadbridge Road to the northeast, and the C1094 Burtonwood to the southeast.

The village of Burghill will also benefit from an extended 30 mph limit along the unclassified road southward beyond the houses known as The Steppes. Furthermore, a new limit will be implemented along a minor road west of the nearby village of Stretton Sugwas, where the current national speed limit of 60 mph applies.

The local council’s decision reflects guidance from the Department for Transport, which emphasizes that “fear of traffic can affect people’s quality of life in villages.” The guidance advocates for speed limits in villages to align more closely with those in urban areas, stating that a 30 mph limit should be the norm for such locations.

The total cost for these six measures is estimated at approximately £128,000, which includes consultations with local councillors, officials, and community members.

These changes illustrate Herefordshire Council’s commitment to prioritizing road safety and fostering a more peaceful living environment for its residents. With the implementation of these new speed limits, the council hopes to reduce traffic-related concerns and enhance the overall quality of life in these villages.