Decision details

To consider the petition’s requests;

1. To reduce the 60mph speed limit to 40mph on the B2100 between Milk Lodge Farm, Rotherfield and Palesgate Lane, Jarvis Brook.

2. Plan safety improvements to enforce the proposed limit, either by speed camera, speed notification device or westbound restriction carriageway fence.

3. Removal of  the solid obstructions from the fatal bend and reinstatement of reflectors.

6.1       The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, together with the comments of the Lead Petitioners conveyed by Councillor Bob Standley, the local Member.

DECISIONS

6.2       The Lead Member RESOLVED to advise the petitioners that (1) a 40mph speed limit on the B2100 between Rotherfield and Jarvis Brook is not a priority for the County Council;

(2) the location does not meet the Sussex Safer Road Partnership criteria for a speed camera;

(3) the location does not meet the criteria set out in the Road Safety Team’s Working Practice for Vehicle Activated Signs;

(4) the location does not meet the requirements of the High Level Sift assessment process for consideration of a vehicle restraint system;

(5) the provision of new hazard marker posts on the bend will be investigated; and

(6) the matter will be reassessed should the ongoing coroner’s investigation  identify any highway engineering factors contributing to the cause of death.  

Reasons

6.3       There has been one fatal and one slight injury crash reported to the Police within the national speed limit in the latest available three-year period (to January 2021).  The resources that are available for road safety are limited and priority must be given to locations with a history of personal injury crashes.

6.4       A Road Safety Officer has assessed this location and it does not meet the necessary criteria for a safety camera to be considered.  Our working practice for Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS), provided on a permanent basis, stipulates that they are only used where there is evidence of a significant level of crashes involving personal injury. This location would not meet this requirement. Speed indicator devices may be considered on a temporary basis as an educational tool. Approval for this type of sign is restricted to roads with a speed limit not exceeding 40mph.

6.5       The request for a VRS has been assessed using the High Level Sift as the initial stage of our scheme prioritisation process but, did not meet the benchmark score to be considered further.

6.6       The provision of hazard marker posts on the bend near Old Forest Lane will be investigated and the existing signing along the route will be reviewed.  

6.7       The Police investigation into the fatal crash that occurred on 26 September 2020 is still on-going. It is for the Coroner to ultimately decide the cause of the collision but, at the present time no highway factors have been identified, but the issues raised by the petition will be reassessed should the final outcome identify such factors.