Calls for speed limits rejected by Durham County Council
Pleas to reduce speed limits on rural County Durham roads have been rejected.
Durham County Council declined to support new 30mph zones in Weardale and Teesdale despite hundreds of people signing petitions.
Highways officers conducted reviews in Eastgate and Newbiggin but ruled the existing speed limits are “credible” and are largely being adhered to by motorists.
In Eastgate, 116 people signed a petition to reduce the speed limit on the A689 from 60mph to 30mph.
The local authority said it reviewed road infrastructure, existing vehicle speeds, and incident history but did not suggest reducing the speed limit. “This is due to the section of road being primarily rural in nature with sporadic frontage property development over a short length,” a response read.
Motorists are advised to drive at a maximum speed of 30mph when approaching the village due to changes in the road layout.
However, there have been no recorded personal injury crashes in the past five years on the A689 through Eastgate. The council added: “This represents a favourable accident record when compared to many other locations within the county which would remain a priority to address from limited road safety funding.
“It is understandable that residents would like to see the imposition of a lower speed limit outside their properties and the council takes these concerns seriously giving them full consideration when we evaluate changes to speed limits.
“Having completed a review of this location it has been concluded that the existing speed limit remains credible for this location and speed survey data indicates a good compliance to this speed limit.”
A 30mph speed limit was enforced in nearby Daddry Shield and Bridge End in 2022 after a community campaign.
Final decisions on new speed limits are enforced by Durham Constabulary.
Meanwhile, in Newbiggin, a petition signed by 122 people was not enough to reduce the speed limit on the B6277 to 30mph. The council said the overall length of the road through the settlement is less than the minimum requirement.
The review found one crash had occurred on the road in the last five years when a motorcyclist attempted to undertake a car reversing into a private access. Rider error was deemed to be the causation factor, the council said.
It added: “This represents a favourable accident record when compared to many other locations within the county which would remain a priority to address from limited road safety funding.”