mefoster wrote:Thanks for that. Most interesting.
So, nothing to do with the tunnel then. And nothing really to do with the road either. The LH bend on the approach is not sharp, the gradient is not steep and the road surface is good. Lack of forward visibility? Really? OK, so the google street view is slightly misleading due to the height of the camera but... Really?
Anyone who knows this road will also know that there is nothing remotely difficult about driving along it, even at night, in the rain. Countless others seem to manage it without incident every day. In fact, I would argue that driving westbound across the Adur flyover (a few miles after the tunnel) on a windy day requires far more attention and ability from the driver. I have seen more that one people carrier moved sideways into the next lane by gusts of wind there.
The fact that people crash whilst driving too fast for the conditions is nothing unusual and I am, at least, glad that there are no knee-jerk or "we must do *something*" plans in the pipeline.
ExadiNigel wrote:The last time I drove on the M1 there wasn't much chance of even reaching 60 it was so congested.
Whenever I travel back up to Swindon to visit family (A38, M5 & M4) I just set the cruise control to 60. This has made a huge difference to my fuel consumption - 68.8mpg on my last trip. I was pleased with that for an 8yo 1.9 diesel Jetta.
The Highways Agency previously consulted on proposals to limit speeds to 60mph between 7am and 7pm seven days a week because of the potential effect of the new schemes on local air quality. However, the Transport Secretary has rejected this approach as the Government’s preferred option and has asked the Highways Agency to rigorously investigate alternatives as work progresses on the schemes in the next 12-18 months. If any proposals continue to include varying speed limits, they must only apply when absolutely necessary. In particular, the Agency must look for alternatives that maintain the 70mph limit wherever possible, particularly when traffic tends to be lighter, such as at weekends and outside of peak commuting hours.
mefoster wrote:GJD wrote:I know it doesn't necessarily follow, but I think it's very likely to follow. I'd be much more surprised if most collisions did not involve locals/regular users. My point is just that that statement attributed to the police seems rather glib and unhelpful from a stating the bleedin' obvious point of view (not to mention the what does it matter where they come from point of view).
On that, I think we can agree.
The latest tunnel accident (Wednesday) brought out yet more "ooh it's so dangerous" comments.
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10939534.A27_Brighton_bypass_is_a__safety_risk__says_MP_after_latest_Southwick_Tunnel_crash/?ref=mr
No doubt there will be a very expensive investigation that takes thousands of man hours that will eventually come up with a recommendation that the only answer is to reduce the speed limit. Then, if they do it there, it will only be a matter of time before it is extended to cover the junction from the A270 at the Holmbush Roundabout, the Adur Flyover and the Sussex Pad crossroads (that sussex2 mentioned) to join up with the 40 limit at the Lancing Manor Roundabout.
Kimosabe wrote:mefoster wrote:GJD wrote: I know it doesn't necessarily follow, but I think it's very likely to follow. I'd be much more surprised if most collisions did not involve locals/regular users.
The latest tunnel accident (Wednesday) brought out yet more "ooh it's so dangerous" comments.
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10939534.A27_Brighton_bypass_is_a__safety_risk__says_MP_after_latest_Southwick_Tunnel_crash/?ref=mr
No doubt there will be a very expensive investigation that takes thousands of man hours that will eventually come up with a recommendation that the only answer is to reduce the speed limit.
It's 30mph before, during and immediately after the Cuilfail Tunnel, Lewes. Heading towards the A27 after leaving the tunnel, the road becomes a 60mph NSL upto the A27, though that is rarely achievable due to traffic, a junction and people not knowing what an NSL sign is. It's also single lane each way, with a river along one side and cliffs along the other.
As the Brighton Bypass tunnel West is A27 NSL 70mph before, during and after, why not reduce the managed speed to 50mph or 60mph heading downhill (West) just to slow things down a little and to engage drivers with some supportive activity at that point?
Heading West just before the A27 tunnel, the road kinks just enough to cause some additional steering (left) and this means that there isn't a straight entry into the tunnel, as opposed to the sweeping, long right hand bend going East. It also means that vehicles become unbalanced at the very point they need to be balanced. I've seen more near misses just before the West tunnel than after it but the Police always sit in the layby after the tunnel heading East. Due to the Eastward incline, the traffic generally separates into slower/faster lanes fairly soon after the tunnel and the road offers good views ahead for some way.
richie349 wrote:I'd be interested to know what the bottom line reason is for the obvious objection to speed limits is.
is it that we don't want to have to slow down, or is it that we object to rules in general which we don't feel are necessary?
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