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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES BY THE CONNÉTABLE OF ST. MARY
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 8th OCTOBER 2013
Question
Will the Minister advise approximately how many requests, if any, to implement a speed limit which is not in accordance with the limits defined in the existing policy are received annually?
Will the Minister further advise whether he believes the current policy remains appropriate for the Island?
If the Minister does not consider the current policy appropriate (and further to the adoption by the Assembly on 3rd December 2008 of P.166/2008 Speed Limits: creation of a review working group' and the resulting work by the Department) would he outline his thoughts on a way forward?
Answer
Requests for consideration for lower speed limits are regularly received by my department, either from the Connétable s or from members of the general public. Over the last 18 months approximately 20 requests for changes on particular roads or areas of roads have been received, of which about half were consistent with current policy (and are being processed) and half were not, these will not be considered further until a review of the policy is carried out.
I do believe that the current policy is reasonable which is why I have agreed to relatively minor changes which are now being processed. It is apparent however from the many communications my Department receives that speed limits are a contentious issue and I therefore intend carrying out a public consultation on future speed limit policy before the end of the year. I will give consideration to the public's views and any potential changes to the policy can then be incorporated within the road safety strategy which I am currently progressing. I anticipate publishing the strategy white paper early in 2014.