MK City Council is the Highways Authority for the MK Borough and is responsible for the road network. This means we also have a statutory duty to carry out road safety education, training and publicity. We are also responsible for collecting and analysing collision and casualty data for this area. We use this information to look at areas where there are above average collisions to see what improvements may be made.
The Highways team work closely with partners such as Thames Valley Police and road safety organisations, to educate and inform all road and redway users about keeping safe. The police are responsible for enforcement of traffic laws and you can contact them on 101 for non-life threatening emergencies or visit their website, www.thamesvalley.police.uk for more information.
Community Speedwatch (CSW)
This is a police-led initiative working with local communities to record details of speeding vehicles in their local area. Vehicles exceeding the speed limit are recorded by local volunteers and the information is passed to the police to contact them. This is usually in the form of an official letter to the vehicle owner but repeat offenders will be visited by the local police.
These schemes can only operate in areas where the speed limit is under 40mph.
If you are interested in finding out more about Community Speedwatch or would like to know how you can set one up in your area, email the CSW Coordinator. Alternatively visit the police Community Speedwatch website to find out more.
Traffic Calming Schemes
Traffic calming are physical measures used where drivers need to be encouraged to slow down. If a location has had an above average number of collisions or speeding vehicles is a persistent issue, we will look at the road environment and traffic data to determine what can be done to help. Reducing speed limits alone will not be enough so we may add in traffic calming such as speed cushions, speed humps, speed tables, rumble strips or road width restrictions.
The Highways team analyse traffic data, community feedback and collision reports to look at locations where these measures can help improve road safety. Traffic calming schemes can be very costly, so they prioritise these where measures are needed the most and we will consider whether proactive measures such as Community Speedwatch have already been considered and carried out at the location.
20mph Limits and Zones
Our policy is for all residential estates to have 20mph speed limits to improve safety and encourage walking and cycling. Many residential estates already have a 20mph speed limit which are shown by 20mph signs and are self-enforcing. Traffic calming measures may be installed to help drivers stick to the 20mph limit. Older estates across MK may be brought into line with this new policy through a formal, statutory process which will include a public consultation. New estates built in the city will be designed with a 20mph speed limit in mind.
Find out more about the application process for a 20mph speed limit here.
Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs)
These are post-mounted illuminated signs that tell drivers what speed they are doing, either with a smiley or sad face depending on whether they are driving to the speed limit or not. They may also display 'Slow Down' to the oncoming motorists.
In Milton Keynes, SIDs are owned, maintained and operated by the local parish or town council. They are located where there are local concerns about speeding. SIDs provide a useful reminder to drivers of the speed limit and an awareness of their own speed.
Parish and town councils who wish to place SIDs on the adopted highway will require permission from the highways team before any may be installed and our Road Safety Officer can provide advice on suitable locations. We recommend that a SID is regularly moved between three locations for maximum impact and are solar powered.
Useful links
There are national charities and road safety organisations who provide up to date guidance, advice and training resources. In MK, there is Hazard Alley at the Safety Centre based at Kiln Farm which is an interactive experience educating all ages about safety including road safety.
RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents)
THINK! (Government road safety website)
Road Safety GB
Brake (road safety charity)