Change of Speed on a road

phales14

Hello - wondering if someone could please help me with some information that I am trying to find out. I've recently had a speeding ticket through, which I was speeding so that isn't the issue, however I would like to know WHEN the speed limit changed from a 30 down to a 20.

I've tried the usual google searches but I can't seem to get a definitive date.

Does anyone have any ideas how I might find this out please?

Thank you - i'd appreciate any help

Jenni_D

Should there be a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for a speed limit to change? Could this link help?

https://www.trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk/tro-library/

Flight3287462

Where are you?  A lot of towns and villages in the Lothians dropped the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph during covid.  

Ebe_Scrooge

A clue as to the location would help.  If you can find the local council's website, that might be a start - I know our local council published stuff like that when they reduced the limit in town to 20 because of Covid.  Actually, I'm wondering if that might be the same reason on the bit of road you were on?  If so, that'll give you a good idea of when the change was made.

Is there any particular reason you want to know the date of the change?

Jenni_D

My town has also introduced 20 limits in certain areas in recent months.

Note: I think the link above only applies for E+W.

Jenni_D

Ebe_Scrooge said:

Is there any particular reason you want to know the date of the change?

I wondered that too. But is there something particular regarding enforcement of speed limits when they're below 30?

TooManyPoints

The link that Jenni_D provided relates to decriminalised offences (such as parking, contravening No Entry signs, etc.) which are dealt with by Local Authorities, notified via PCNs and appealed via a tribunal. However, the principle is the same - a change of speed limit - other than to a "National" speed limit (of which 20mph is not one) - can only be done by a TRO. The local council for the area concerned should provide it on request as they are public documents.

I wondered that too. But is there something particular regarding enforcement of speed limits when they're below 30?

No. There are differences between the signage required for areas covered by a 20mph limit and those which are 20mph zones, but the principles of enforcement are the same. 

Car_54

OP, you need to get the TRO (which is a public document) from the local authority responsible. Some have them accessible on their website, otherwise you just need to ask.

Ant555

There are differences between the signage required for areas covered by a 20mph limit and those which are 20mph zones, but the principles of enforcement are the same. 

In the last month a stretch of main road near me has gone from 30 to 20. Bizarrely, it returns to 30 about 50m short of some shops where there is a really busy pedestrian crossing point (no zebra, pelican, lights etc)    There are no speed limit repeaters, no painted 20s on the road and although I concede, a limit is a limit and a driver should know, the one and only sign is so close to an existing sign that it is actually very easy to miss.

Gone are the days when if there were no signs then you could realistically assume it was a 30 - nowadays you kind of have to default down to 20 to be sure.

Car_54

How long is the 'stretch' of road?

If it is a 20 limit, repeaters are required, but there is no specific distance, simply that the limit must be 'adequately conveyed'.

If it is a 20 zone, no repeaters are needed, but there must be some sort of traffic management feature (bumps, chicanes, etc) at least every 100 metres.

Grey_Critic

Some 20 zones in the vicinity of schools only apply at particular times. As others have said there have to be a TRO and there has to be clear signage at the start and finish.