Councillors reject calls to cut A6 speed limit

Calls for a reduction in the speed limit along a section of one of the High Peak's busiest roads have been rejected by councillors.
The A6 Buxton Road between Furness Vale and Newtown. Photo: Google.The A6 Buxton Road between Furness Vale and Newtown. Photo: Google.
The A6 Buxton Road between Furness Vale and Newtown. Photo: Google.

A total of 57 people signed a petition calling for the 40mph section of the A6 Buxton Road between New Mills and Furness Vale, around the bend known locally as ‘Bank End Corner’, to be cut to 30mph.

County councillor Beth Atkins, who represents New Mills, Birch Vale and Hayfield, was the lead petitioner. She said: “Local residents and councillors, including myself, would like to see the speed limit on this stretch of the A6 set permanently at 30mph.”

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Members of Derbyshire County Council’s Highways, Transport and Infrastructure committee discussed the request during a meeting last week and followed the advice of council officers by turning down the request.

In a report prepared for councillors, an officer commented: “Through the residential section of Furness Vale where there are properties fronting the road on both sides, the speed limit is 30mph. Similarly, through the built-up section of Newtown, the speed limit is also 30mph.

“The section of road around the bend referred to as ‘Bank End Corner’ where the road is semi-rural, is subject to a 40mph speed limit. This also enables 30mph terminal signs to be erected to create “gateways” at the entrance to the built-up areas.

“If this whole section of road were to be subject to a 30mph speed limit, these signs would have to be removed and the important 30mph message would be lost where it is most needed on the entrance to the residential areas.

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“There are already three vehicle-activated signs on the A6 between Newtown and Bridgemont to help reinforce the 30mph message due to concerns about drivers contravening the speed limit.”

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The report said police statistics showed there had been no recorded injury collisions in a three-year period to May 31 last year on the 40mph stretch.

It also suggested there was little police support for a reduction in the speed limit at the location at this time.

Councillors have approved the awarding of more than £300 worth of grants to two High Peak community groups.

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The Friends of Whaley Bridge Station is to receive £120 to help with the upkeep of hanging baskets at the station, plus a similar amount towards the cost of producing a new history book.

A grant of £100 has been awarded to the Friends of Glossop Station towards its tenth anniversary event.

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