Central Bedfordshire Council to reconsider 20mph speed limits due to unecessary danger to motorists

I have used Drovers Way for a while now, as I use the Morrison's in Houghton Regis. I am convinced I have always gone down there at 30mph, without an issue. I have no objection to a variable speed limit but I have been caught out at 11.30pm doing 30mph on a weekday. There is no reason for it to remain a 20mph zone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week it's ridiculous. I am not the sort of person to race around I respect the road, other road users, pedestrians and the law, but in my opinion it is just as dangerous. I find myself paying more attention to the odometer than where I'm supposed to be going! Also I live in Tring, so I don't use the road very often, barely visible signs show the intent to catch people out when they are busy concentrating on where they are supposed to be going. It's a residential street the automatic assumption is it's 30mph.

IN the right place at the right time 20mph limits make sense, by all means have them outside schools at peak times but not on long straigh roads with few pedestrians and little if any history of accidents.

Totally agree with these comments. Instead of lowering the speed limit from 30 mph to 20 mph I believe the police need to more rigorously enforce the 30 mph limit. If the new 20 mph limit is to be retained then the police should enforce it & take very stern action to those who insist on overtaking those adhering to it & exceeding 30 mph i.e. ban them.

I totally agree that 20mph demands constant speedometer watching hence distracting from paying attention to careful driving.

TO KEEP A CAR AT 20MPH OVER LONG DISTANCES YOU HAVE TO WATCH THE SPEEDO NON STOP, HENCE CREATING OTHER HAZARDS BY NOT SEEING AROUND YOU.IE, POTHOLES

I am finding it very difficult to keep to this speed limit it feels very unnatural and must use a lot more petrol so not good for the environment.

It's ridiculous, I can understand outside schools but normal roads it's just not right, also why did they make langdale rd thinner then put 2 bus stops in the thinner section ?? How stupid are the high ways planners ?? It's laughable I would call it amateur at best lol

I have experienced other drivers tailgating me,beeping me and even overtaking me because I have stuck to the 20 mile speed limit it is intimidating. I have also seen pedestrians walking out in front of cars going at the new speed limit,they might think everyone is sticking to the 20 mile speed but lots of people are not. I do think by our schools we should have a similar system that is outside Barnfield College on the old Halyards school for the safety of the school students in Dunstable.

The first incident of road rage I am a victim of due to this idiotic obsession with road safety and I am suing the council for every available penny.

I agree the 20mph speed limit is unneccesary and potentially dangerous and should be replaced with the original 30mph speed limit.

A completely unnecessary and wasteful scheme imposed over a wide area with no regard to the actual conditions in particular trouble spots.

Completely ridiculous speed limit. Give us some credit for driving carefully at 30mph. What a waste of money that could be spent mending some of the awful potholes around our town etc etc/

I THINK THIS IS SILLY

all that has to be done is to teach the moterist to have respect for those on foot, and those on foot, ie school children to respect the motorist

Of all the traffic that uses Frenches Avenue, I doubt that any of them adhere to the 20 MPH speed limit ( and a lot ignore the old 30mph limit). T It's just a waste of time and taxpayers money to erect all the signage etc, if it can not policed or enforced in any way.

I am a retired police officer. I have lived for 28 years on a road with a 30mph limit. The only fatal or serious accident that I know of was caused by a drunk in the early hours hitting a tree and killing his passenger. Traffic is now being forced onto the A5 because of the ridiculous journey times being caused by a pointless 20mph limit. Whatever happen to proper research and consultation before wasting our money on pointless change that benefits nobody.

There's pros and cons to this argument.Whilst like others,I agree with it around schools etc,30mph is adequate on other roads.It seems to have worked ok for years and years.Some little petty council plank trying to justify his/her job if you ask me.

I approved of speed cameras outside the schools and I didn't mind the speed bumps and mini roundabouts, but 20 mph is a ridiculous speed that just annoys fellow motorists and increases petrol consumption. There is no proof it will save lives.

Ridiculous speed limit

I agree in reducing speed around schools, but to have 20mph on the majority of roads is dangerous and unnecessary. People should teach their children and themselves how to be safe when out walking and not just walk into the road as and when they feel like it. I am also fed up being overtaken by taxis who apparently don't appear to believe they have to stick to the speed limit. Also fed up of irritated drivers not liking the speed limit, as indeed I don't, tailgateing. I don't want a fine or points on my licence thank you so I obey the rules even though i don't agree with them,