Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report of the Operational Director – Policy, Planning and Transportation, which provided information on the petition received from Preston Brook Parish Council, containing 52 signatures.  The petition requested the reduction of the speed limit on both Windmill Lane and Chester Road from 30mph to 20 mph and the removal of the section of Chester Road that was 40mph and the removal of unnecessary industrial signage.

Members were reminded that in respect of petitions, their role was to receive a report on any petitions received by the Council relating to their respective area and/or any action taken or proposed to be taken by the Executive (or Portfolio Holder, or an Officer acting under delegated powers). 

The Board noted that Cheshire Police had stated that they would not support any speed reductions on the A56 Chester Road and they would only support a speed reduction on Windmill Lane alongside a full traffic calming intervention.  There has not been an injury accident on the road in question in the past 5 years, and therefore in line with the criteria in the Council’s Traffic Calming Assessment Policy, this location does not meet the criteria for intervention. 

The report set out the position in the Department for Transport Circular 01/2013 (Setting Local Speed Limits) which states “it is government policy that a 30 mph speed limit should be the norm in villages” and that the Council’s approach was also consistent with the policies in Local Transport Plan 3 on 20mph Zones. The Board was reminded that they received the Annual Road Safety Report in November 2022 and this analysis did not highlight this location for intervention.  Based on these reasons, there was no recommended action. 

The Board also noted the reasons for retaining the industrial signage, as outlined in the report. 

RESOLVED:  That the requests set out in the petition not be supported for the reasons given in the report.