Update on the Parish Council’s application for 20mph signage for Embsay and Eastby

The Parish Council (PC) has been pursuing a reduced speed limit for Embsay and Eastby for many years now, with the Road Safety Group working continuously to provide evidence to North Yorkshire Council (NYC) that a reduced speed limit would make our parish a safer environment.

NYC do not implement a county wide authorisation for reduced speed limits in conurbations at risk from accidents but allow applications where a need can be evidenced. In October 2022, Cllr Vince Smith on behalf of the PC applied (as attached) for a 20mph signed only speed limit. Initially resisted by NYC Highways the PC paid for nine surveys to prove the parameters of Government Guidance were being met. Recently the PC received notification that a NYC Highways version of 20mph limits will be put in place following further consultation with interested parties including the Police and Fire Brigade.

The notification followed their further analysis of the speed survey results and supporting comments from Cllr Noland at NYC, and included a proposed layout for 20mph speed zones in the two villages. As indicated on the attached maps the red extents are where NYC can justify a signed only 20mph speed limit and the amber extents are where physical features would be required if they extended the 20mph speed limit over this length. Effectively the coloured extent could therefore be a 20mph zone. The black arrow is where the existing road hump is located, and the amber arrows are where new humps/speed cushions would be necessary. The proposal does not go any further west with the 20mph speed limit. From the proposed 20/30mph terminal sign locations near ‘The Cavendish Arms’ in a westerly direction the speed limit will be 30mph for approximately 300m before the national speed limit commences.

In terms of Eastby, NYC are happy to support a 20mph speed limit here too, but again they think it will need some physical measures to achieve compliance – see arrows on the Eastby plan attached showing hump/cushion locations away from properties. The extent shown in black on the Eastby plan is the existing 30mph speed limit that is proposed to remain unchanged.

Regarding road hump/cushions, these are a non-negotiable result of the request for 20mph signage.  The PC has requested that where necessary we have mid-lane ‘cushions’ rather than cross-road tables to minimise the noise factor.

Although the PC did not get everything it originally asked for, this response from NYC is a positive step forward in terms of addressing the issues of speeding and accidents in our villages. The PC is currently awaiting further updates regarding the consultation process and has received no indication of an implementation date.

Further information regarding the PC’s application including the results of the speed surveys can be found here: https://theembsayeastbypost.com/embsay-with-eastby-parish-councils-application-for-20mph-signage-update/

Matters concerning the 20mph signage, and any other local issues, can be raised by attending PC meetings or by contacting the Parish Clerk at: clerk@embsaywitheastby-pc.gov.uk
The next full council meeting is on the 17^th of September at the Village Institute.