Speed limit on a North Hykeham road where a school bus crashed could be reduced
A bus carrying 60 pupils tipped on Meadow Lane in 2021
The speed limit is likely to be reduced on a North Hykeham road where a school bus crashed.
The vehicle tipped off Meadow Lane into the hedge in November 2021 while carrying 60 pupils.
A 12-year-old boy broke his arm, and a 14-year-old girl was taken to hospital as a precaution.
The collision triggered calls to review the 60mph speed limit on the road, which connects North Hykeham to Waddington.
A study by Lincolnshire County Council found that vehicles’ average speed was 45mph, and safety would be improved by dropping the limit to 40mph.
There have been nine incidents in which people were injured on the road in the last five years.
The bus incident in 2021 was blamed on a soft verge on the edge of the road, which is used by around 8,000 people every day.
It was carrying pupils for Sir Robert Pattinson Academy and North Kesteven Academy at the time.
One person has written to the council saying a lower limit would make the road more unsafe.
A council report says: “The objector is concerned that a 40mph speed limit will not be accepted by many drivers and there will be an increase in overtaking manoeuvres as a result, raising the risk of collisions.
“They believe that a 50mph limit here would be more in keeping with the surrounding environment on Meadow Lane and therefore would be complied with by the majority of drivers whilst still improving road safety.
The council argues: “There has been a high number of collisions on Meadow Lane and it is anticipated that road safety will be improved should this new speed limit be introduced.”
The change will be discussed at a meeting of Lincolnshire County Council’s planning committee on Monday, December 2.