A MULTI-MILLION scheme to review speed limits in Cheshire could result in more than 60 extra speed cameras on a number of major routes.
The assessment of 144 A and B routes in Cheshire – 80 of which are in Cheshire West and Chester – has resulted in recommendations for speed control measures which would cost £4.7 million to implement.
The review, commissioned by Cheshire County Council on behalf of Safer Roads Partnership, comes after the Government issued revised guidance for setting speed limits on rural roads in 2006.
Specialists from Hyder Consulting were asked to consider factors such as the number of accidents and average speeds on each stretch of road when deciding whether or not to recommend changes to the current limits.
They also recommended that many of the proposed changes should be accompanied by added speed management measures, identifying locations where fixed speed cameras would be suitable. All 1,220km of the Cheshire A and B road network has been assessed and 18% of the network (225 km) qualifies for a reduced speed limit – but any changes will have to be approved by the relevant Highway Authority and local councillors after a period of public consultation. Out of 25 A roads reviewed, consultants recommended fixed speed cameras at 56 locations, including eight on the A41, four on Parkgate Road (A540) and three on both the A56 and the A51.
