Speed limit cut proposed to ease main road crash fears

Durham County Council's highways committee will today consider reducing the 60mph limit to 40mph on a stretch of the A177, at South Road, Durham City, leading to the Cock O' The North roundabout.

Traffic managers are concerned about the risk of crashes at the entrances to Durham Crematorium and Durham High School.

Crematorium managers had asked for the speed limit along the length of South Road to be cut to 30mph, a move which highway officials are ruling out.

But they are recommending that councillors adopt a 40mph limit.

A report to councillors says the average speed of vehicles on the road is about 49mph.

Potential hazards highlighted on the road include the accesses to Durham High School, Mount Oswald Golf Course and Van Mildert College, bus stops, a blind crest and blind bend.

Environment and technical services director Chris Tunstall said a 30mph limit would not be "appropriate, and would detract from the existing 30mph limit where it is most required, and which even now is less than well respected by motorists''.

Police say the proposed lower limit will give them "enforcement problems'', but will "reluctantly'' agree to it, provided that there are discussions on introducing speed calming measures. Mr Tunstall said: "This length of road does not have a history of personal injury accidents, although I am aware of the concern at the two locations where accidents have occurred in the last five years, namely the crematorium access, and next to the High School/St Oswald's Drive accesses.''

The council originally carried out consultations on a 50mph limit, but Mr Tunstall said the lower limit would be "more appropriate''.

Durham City Council is calling on the county council for a 50mph limit, with monitoring to see if further restrictions are needed, and a short extension of the existing 30mph stretch.

If the highways committee approves the recommendation, the council will seek an order to introduce it.