Stirling Council Agenda Item No.6

Date of Environment & Housing Meeting: 6 June 2019 Committee Not Exempt Petition Update – Blairlogie Speed Limit Reduction

Purpose & Summary

This paper sets out to respond to the items contained and raised in the petition submitted by the petitioner Mr John Brian Kenneth Todd in relation to reduction of speed limits: 1. Eastwards from the Logie Roundabout to “Huntly”, Hillfoots Road, Blairlogie, FK9 5PY from 60mph to 40mph. 2. Eastwards from “Huntly” above to “Blairlogie House”, Hillfoots Road, Blairlogie, FK9 5QE, from 40mph to 30mph, retaining the existing 40mph limit between “Blairlogie House” and the /Clackmannanhire border.

Recommendations

Committee is asked to: 1. note the contents of this report and the works undertaken to date.; and 2. conclude the petition process.

Resource Implications

None.

Legal & Risk Implications and Mitigation

The road is in above average condition and its operating performance is well within expected levels. Therefore, there are no legal or risk implications at this site.

1. Background

1.1. The A91 is the primary route linking Stirling and St. Andrew’s. In August 2006, the Scottish Executive published ETLLD Circular No. 1/2006: Setting Local Speed Limits, which laid out recommendations on the setting of local speed limits. This superseded the recommendations given previously in SOID Circular No. 1/93. The new recommendations apply to the setting of speed limits, other than 20 mph speed limits, on single or dual carriageway roads in both urban and rural areas. 1.2. The UK and Scottish Governments committed to developing a speed management policy that takes account of the contribution of reduced speeds to road safety as well as environmental and social objectives. To meet these aims and to ensure national consistency, the UK and Scottish Governments asked all Roads Authorities to review all existing speed limits on ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads by the end of 2010. 1.3. The Council Executive agreed in April 2010 for the Roads, Transport & Open Space Service to undertake a review of speed limits on ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads in the Stirling Council area. This review was undertaken in line with the Council’s own Speed Limit Review policy and published 2011/12. 1.4. The A91 at Blairlogie was included in the speed limit review. 1.5. Officers in the Traffic Management & Road Safety Team continue to monitor and review speed limits on adopted roads to ensure that speed limits remain in-line with national guidance. 1.6. In 2016, the petitioner with support from Blairlogie Community Council approached Stirling Council to discuss road safety and the speed limit within the Blairlogie area. Officers met with the petitioner, Community Council and residents to agree what traffic management measures could be deployed to help manage vehicle speed and improve road safety in the area. 1.7. Following agreement with the petitioner, Community Council and residents the following works were undertaken in 2016/17-2017/18; - second review of speed limits - speed limits still in line with Council Policy. - A91 through Blairlogie repaired and surface dressed. - installation of new vehicle activated signs which displayed speed limit. - installation of new village entry signs and road markings to the west of Blairlogie. - installation of new village entry signs to the east of Blairlogie. - Installation of new road marking and signs throughout Blairlogie area. - installation of high friction surfacing at junctions within the Blairlogie area. 1.8. In summer 2018, the petitioner approached Stirling Council again, to discuss road safety and the speed limit within the Blairlogie area. Following discussions, it was agreed that Stirling Council would undertake additional works in the area to address community road safety perceptions. The works included: - third review of speed limits - speed limits still in line with Council Policy. - installation of new vehicle activated signs which display speed limit to motorists. - installation of new village entry road markings to the east of Blairlogie. - installation of additional 40mph limit road markings. 2. Considerations

Petition request 1: Eastwards from the Logie Roundabout to “Huntly”, Hillfoots Road, Blairlogie, FK9 5PY from 60mph to 40mph. 2.1. In August 2006, the Scottish Executive published ETLLD Circular No. 1/2006: Setting Local Speed Limits, which laid out recommendations on the setting of local speed limits. This superseded the recommendations given previously in SOID Circular No. 1/93. The new recommendations apply to the setting of speed limits, other than 20 mph speed limits, on single or dual carriageway roads in both urban and rural areas. 2.2. Speed limits should be established in a consistent manner that reflects the expectation of all road users, as well as local residents. 2.3. To be effective, it is important that speed limit assessments are evidence-led and self-explaining, and should reinforce road users’ perceptions of the appropriate speed for the road environment. 2.4. Where a speed limit is set inappropriately, for example at a speed substantially lower than that which most drivers would otherwise choose, it will often not induce lower speeds and can result in an over-reliance on Police enforcement and an increase in risky overtaking manoeuvres. 2.5. In the Stirling Council area, it was agreed the national speed limit would remain the norm on rural roads. 2.6. This section of the A91 was assessed in accordance with Stirling Council’s adopted Speed Limit Policy. The outcome was that the national speed limits for single carriageways, applicable for various classes of vehicles, were appropriate 2.7. No further traffic management measures are proposed for this area Petition request 2: Eastwards from “Huntly” above to “Blairlogie House”, Hillfoots Road, Blairlogie, FK9 5QE, from 40mph to 30mph, retaining the existing 40mph limit between “Blairlogie House” and the Stirling/Clackmannanhire border. 2.8 In August 2006, the Scottish Executive published ETLLD Circular No. 1/2006: Setting Local Speed Limits, which laid out recommendations on the setting of local speed limits. This superseded the recommendations given previously in SOID Circular No. 1/93. The new recommendations apply to the setting of speed limits, other than 20 mph speed limits, on single or dual carriageway roads in both urban and rural areas. 2.9 Speed limits should be established in a consistent manner that reflects the expectation of all road users, as well as local residents. 2.10 To be effective, it is important that speed limit assessments are evidence-led and self-explaining, and should reinforce road users’ perceptions of the appropriate speed for the road environment. 2.11 Where a speed limit is set inappropriately, for example at a speed substantially lower than that which most drivers would otherwise choose, it will often not induce lower speeds and can result in an over-reliance on Police enforcement and an increase in risky overtaking manoeuvres.

2.12 This section of the A91 was assessed in accordance with Stirling Council’s adopted Speed Limit Policy. The outcome was that the existing 40mph speed limit is correct for the prevailing road environment and when traffic speeds are taken into consideration. 2.13. This section of the A91 does not meet the necessary requirements to be considered for a village style 30mph speed limit. 2.14. No further traffic management measures are proposed for this area.

3. Implications

Equalities Impact 3.1 The contents of this report were assessed under the Council’s Equality Impact Assessment process. It was determined that an Equality Impact Assessment was not required as no further work is proposed. Fairer Duty 3.2 The contents of this report were considered in terms of the Fairer Scotland Duty and were determined not to be of strategic importance. Sustainability and Environmental 3.3 No impact. Other Policy Implications 3.4 None. Consultations 3.5 None.

4. Background Papers

4.1. None.

5. Appendices

5.1. Appendix 1 - Stirling Council Speed Limit Review Policy. 5.2. Appendix 2 - DfT Circular 01/2006 - Setting Local Speed Limits.

Author of Report: Contact Details: David Crighton 01786 237793 Service Manager Roads & Land [email protected]

Approved by: Brian Roberts Signature: Senior Manager - Infrastructure

Date:30 May 2019

Details of Convener(s), Vice Convener(s), Portfolio Holder and Depute Portfolio Holder consulted on this report:

Wards affected: Wards 4

Key Priorities: E - We will create & implement environment and infrastructure improvements; deliver new ownership & delivery methods around energy generation, public transport & internet access, ensuring profits & services work to community, not commercial priorities To provide safe and well connected infrastructure for Key Priority Considerations: our communities

Stirling Plan Priority Outcomes: Resilient - People are part of safe and caring (Local Outcomes Improvement Plan) communities within an attractive and sustainable environment