Signs of progress in villages’ battle with speeding drivers

Members of North Yorkshire County Council will meet to discuss introducing new signs following repeated calls by parish councils for action to tackle the issue of villages being blighted by thoughtless drivers racing along country routes.

Temporary vehicle activated signs (VAS) are set to be bought 
in to help curb fears of residents in scores of rural communities.

In a report to the county council’s Ryedale Area Committee, next week, the authority’s 
corporate director for business and environmental services, 
David Bowe, said: “Speeding 
traffic is a major concern for 
local communities in the 
county.”

The VAS signs, which displays the speed limit, alert speeding drivers and Mr Bowe said while they were used at blackspots with a history of speed-related accidents, there was also a demand for temporary signs where a site was of local concern.

Initially, two solar powered 
signs will be available in each 
of the seven districts in North Yorkshire – Harrogate, Scarborough, Ryedale, Hambleton, 
Selby, Craven and Richmondshire.

“They will be used in one parish for a maximum of six weeks before returning to the community for three months on a rotational basis throughout the year.

“The VAS will be suitable 
for 30mph and 40mph sites as 
the displayed speed limit reminder can be easily changed to suit,” Mr Bowe said in the report 
which has been prepared for councillors.

Mr Bowe said the VAS would be capable of capturing speed data and officers will be able to access the data without leaving the office.

He added that each sign would cost £2,500 and North Yorkshire County Council is planning to buy 15 of them at a cost of about £35,000.

The installation charge of £300 if put into a verge and £400 if installed in a footpath will be paid for by each parish.

The issue will be discussed by members of North Yorkshire County Council’s Ryedale Area Committee when it meets next week.