Speed limit40 sign board

Signing 20mph speed limits has become easier and dramatically cheaper. Repeater signs are now optional. Half the terminal (start/end of limit) signs are required. A minimally signed scheme stipulates 70% fewer capital items. Total costs fall by 40%. Cost per head falls from £2.50 to £1.50

Traffic Authorities are required to sign speed limits clearly to drivers which helps police to uphold speeding offences. Boundary signs showing 20mph signs can display the community wish for slower speeds. In May 2016 the Department for Transport updated its Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directives (TSRGD)[1].   Changes for 20mph limits:-

speed limitsign 10 km/h

The table below lists signage capital items in the tender for Edinburgh’s South Central 20mph scheme. Signage was £113k (52%) of the total £214k budget[2]. Under new signage regulations a minimum of only 275 (instead of 1200) capital items are required.  A whopping 77% fewer!

Nospeed limitSign board

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/523916/DfT-circular-01-2016.pdf May 2016 v2

Once the policy of wide 20mph is democratically agreed, signage costs are now almost entirely incurred due to changes up from 20mph.  A big, inclusive 20mph scheme, with a higher proportion of roads included, is better value for money.  Wide area 20mph schemes with few exceptions are now anticipated to cost £1.50 per head instead of the previous average of £2.50 per head, about 40% less overall. Which authority will install a minimally signed 20mph scheme first? We predict others will follow suit.  When costs fall, the benefit to cost ratio usually rises giving even better cost effectiveness / value for money!

New regulations allow Traffic Authorities more freedom to install signs appropriate to the circumstances, e.g. to reinforce a lowered limit in marginal locations.  Reinforcing a 30mph limit makes more sense where 20mph is widespread, for instance by using 30mph reminder/speed camera signs (Diag 880).