Cops say 30mph is safest

Traffic cops want the A761 in Brookfield to remain a 30mph road – because the speed limit has curbed the number of accidents, writes Jack Thomson, Local Democracy Reporter.

Since the limit was cut from 60mph in 2012, the stretch between the Deafhillock Roundabout and the Branscroft Junction has seen half the the number of incidents.

Road users have responded to the speed limit and more people are being kept safe as a result.

From 2005 to 2011 there were 10 “slight incidents” – a figure which has since dropped to just five between 2012 and 2017.

There were no serious or fatal incidents in either period.

Speaking at Monday’s Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board, Police Scotland’s Ryan McAuley urged officers and elected members to think twice about increasing the limit again.

He explained that while the road had to be monitored initially, drivers are now adhering to the speed limit and the road is not a problem spot.

The council recorded average speeds on the road in June 2016, showing vehicle users typically drove at speeds of 30 and 32mph.

Mr McAuley said the stretch was no longer on the radar of traffic management.

He said: “In terms of enforcement activity, it has had a significant decrease.

“I manage Renfrewshire Council’s complaints for speeding locations and I’ve not seen Brookfield for some time now.

“Police Scotland’s position is that we wouldn’t support an increase and would like it to remain as a 30mph speed limit.”

Mark Higginbotham, of Env i ronment and Infrastructure Services, said the council looks at roads, the number of accidents, and reviews speed limits accordingly.

Speaking about the current limit in Brookfield, he added: “It seems to have worked. It seems appropriate and it’s doing its job.”

This view was supported by transportation manager Andrew McNab in a report presented to the board.

He said: “The department would propose that the current speed limit is appropriate and should not be raised.”