As part of Hutton Mount Limited’s continuing Health and Safety obligations for the roads and verges of the Estate, the introduction of a 20mph speed limit has been under consideration for some time.
Previously, one of the obstacles had been the requirement for a considerable number of large signs, plus painted signs on the roads, combined with a lengthy approval process. Consequently, the whole exercise would have been expensive and likely to have been visually unappealing.
The climate for 20mph speed limits in the UK has changed recently, meaning that the whole process has been simplified, as evidenced with the introduction of 20mph limits in much of the adjoining Shenfield area.
Accordingly, after consultation with our Road Engineer and Safety Audit professionals we have arrived at a scheme which we believe will, on one hand, introduce the speed limit for the benefit of all pedestrians and residents of the Estate, and on the other, be aesthetically acceptable to residents.
One of our major considerations has been our ongoing conflict between recognising the modern times we live in with safety legislation requirements, plus a wish to avoid too much urbanisation of the Estate.
The original proposed scheme envisaged large signs marking a clear demarcation of the speed limit when entering or leaving the Estate, a high number of repeater signs thoughout the Estate, plus large signage painted on the roads. As this was considered too urbanising, it has been reduced in consultation with the Health and Safety consultants to a much-reduced scheme with no painted signs on the roads, a lower number of smaller repeater signs, with new posts with the larger signs limited to the entrances only. All other signs will be attached to existing lamp columns or posts.
As with all aspects of Health and Safety across the Estate, the Directors have to follow the guidance of the expert advisers and strive to provide a balance between a legal obligation to meet safety guidelines and retaining the rural look of the Estate.
The installation of the signs should commence in August 2023.